Project planning system

ABSTRACT

An interactive and collaborative, planning, designing and facilitating tool that connects users with organized information and relevant data, providers and facilitators to resolve technical issues in conceptualizing, designing and implementing a custom project.

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 14/985,280, filed Dec. 30, 205, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/690,026, filed Jan. 19, 2010; which is anon-provisional application that claims priority to the U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61/145,503, filed Jan. 16, 2009, and to the U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 61/177,961, filed May 13, 2009, thecontents of all of which are expressly incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes.

BACKGROUND Field of Art

The present invention is directed to a project planning system, andparticularly to a system for creating, designing and implementing acustom project and solving technical difficulties that are involvedtherewith, and more particularly to a system for teaching and managingbuilding construction, customization, documentation, collaboration, andcommunication as well as project planning for other everyday jobs,functions, and activities.

Related Art

Most consumers begin a project without a plan. However, the moreinformed a person or a group is when conceptualizing an idea, the betterare the chances of completing a successful project related to that idea.Generally, the problem with most project planning is that there iseither too much or not enough information available; there are manydecisions to be made, and many opinions and options to be researched.Generally, the standard practice is to venture to a research library, abook store or the World Wide Web (www) and search for information.Typically, the participants are overwhelmed with randomly presenteddata. One potential solution is to hire an expert to help limit theselections. Experts also have many different opinions and answers on howto do the same task. The consumer generally goes forward with a weak mapof the process. This may lead to cost overruns, time delays, unnecessaryand unfortunate surprises and the like.

When developing a project in the construction industry, for example, toprovide options to a customer or developer of any building project, anarchitect, a consultant or a general contractor might provide lists ofproduct specifications, numerous OEMs, trade contractors, and suppliersthat the customer may use to choose from a very large number of options.The selection process and management requirements of the owner, designteam and general contractor increase due to the large number of optionsmade available, the large number of selections that need to be tracked,and the large amount of required documentation that accompanies theproject. Generally, property owners and developers have too few toolsavailable to them to help with getting their construction projectscompleted. The process is fragmented, and sources including the www andtrade publications are often incomplete, misleading, not well organizedand unreliable. Thus, a potentially complex question or problem forgetting a project appropriately planned or implemented may never receivea technical answer or solution that it requires.

Generally, when developing a project plan including various servicerelated industries, customers or consumers of most services are providedwith lists of products, options, available information, tips, resources,vendors and the like that the customer or consumer might use to makeselections regarding the particular service. The selection process andcomplexity associated with managing the selection process increase dueto the large number of options that may be made available to theconsumer. Typically, a large number of selections may need to be trackedin order to preserve the consumer's general desires. Even thoughconsumers may be inundated with large amounts of information, optionsand the like, the consumer still may not receive sufficient informationor other data that is actually related to his or her specific desires,wants and needs. In some instances, the consumer may not even be awarethat certain options even exist.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure have several features, no singleone of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes.Without limiting the scope of the present embodiments as expressed bythe claims that follow, their more prominent features will now bediscussed.

The project planning system provides a step-by-step project developmentprocess and resolves technical difficulties required to successfullyplan and implement the project. The planning begins with development ofa Vision Album, Planning Guide, or report created by the system for auser interested in creating a custom project. The Vision Album mayinclude all of the parameters, guidelines, product and serviceselections that the user has selected and that represent the user'sdesires and wants for the project. As further discussed below, theproject can be any number of types and in any number of fields. Forexample, the project can be a building project, a travel project, acareer planning project, a camping trip project, a retirement planningproject, a research project, and projects related to formulating apolitical agenda/item, a military campaign, a security implementationplan, a film or TV show, an advertising campaign, a marketing campaign,a business development plan, a Medicare program, a long term health careplan, or considering options for immediate medical care/attention. Theproject may also be related to education and or career planningincluding reviewing options, understanding aptitude and or userinterests relating to selecting a specific career and the like. Theproject may include an approach taken by any group, agency ororganization to promote and build a workable system. For example, theHomeland Security department, where many agencies benefit by havingaccess to aggregated and organized real time data that is generallyblocked at the borders of the different agencies. The agencies wouldhave access to data that allows them to work towards the same goalswhile knowing what the other agencies are doing. In military campaignsindividual goals focus on one outcome or another, where solutions couldbe made part of the main objective where all parties are represented,and information is readily available, including historical information,best practices and considerations made during the planning phase butbefore execution of the plan.

A Project Guide is developed by the system to include the interactivecollaboration between a user and a project developer and a design teamand includes specifications for the project to be developed orconstructed. A Project Journal is compiled by the system to includeinformation from a facilitator or build team relating to the buildteam's actions taken to implement the custom project in accordance withthe requirements as set forth in the Planning Guide/Vision Album and asrefined in the Project Guide. Depending on the projects to be planned,the build team may be referred to as a counselor, a facilitator, atrainer, coach and the like. A Project Portfolio/Building Manual is acompilation of the information related to the custom project andobtained through inputs from the user, the design team members, and thebuild team members. The Project Portfolio, also referred to as theBuilding Manual, may also include but is not limited to, a collection oftools and databases, which may include selectable photos and graphicimages, materials, products, systems, communications and permit data aswell as installer maintenance recommendations and requirements/schedulesand warranty information. The Project Portfolio may also includeinformation useful to a user even after a project has been completed.Professional service providers may be included, who may be selected toperform the required work, along with samples, ideas, suggestions, andthe like, that facilitate thorough and exhaustive reviews of each andevery aspect/phase of the conception, design and implementation of thecustom project.

Input and queries are not limited to only the user, the design team orthe build team, the planning system supports communication andcollaboration between all project participants and or industrystakeholders invited to the collaboration at any phase in thedevelopment of the project. Thus, collaboration may includesocial/business networking, such as by and between friends and familymembers regarding a project, communication between IndustryProfessionals, Manufacturers and Suppliers. A system sector sectiondescribed below supports industry collaboration by way of Blogs, Forums,Committees and the like. The project collaboration supports completecommunication and collaboration between all project participantsincluding any person or group who are invited to participate in theproject. The planning system may assign the user(s) with a project emailaddress so all communications between participants go in and out of thesystem so that the communications on a project may be saved.

In one aspect, a computer program product is provided for managingprojects. The computer program product may include a computer useablemedium having computer readable instructions embodied therein forgenerating a project planning document. The computer readableinstructions when executed on a computer cause the computer to: generatea first report that includes parameters, guidelines, product selectionsand service selections relating to a project selected by a first user;generate a second report that includes modifications to at least one ofthe parameters, guidelines, product selections, and service selectionsrelating to the project based on input by a second user; and generate athird report that journals actions to be taken in implementing theproject using the parameters, guidelines, product selection and serviceselection set forth in the first report and as modified in the secondreport.

In another aspect, a computer implemented system is provided including anetwork interface circuitry configured to receive data and transmit dataover a network; and at least one data processor coupled to the networkinterface circuitry and configured by executable instructions togenerate a project planning document. The executable instructionsincluding executable instructions for: receiving an input including userselections relating to a project type, the input provided by a firstuser; generating a first guide including a first set of data compiledbased on designated preferences defined in the user selections;generating a second guide including a second set of data including atleast a portion of the first set of data modified by a second user; andgenerating a third guide recording the actions taken in implementing aproject plan based on at least portions of the first and second sets ofdata. The computer-implemented system may further include programinstructions for: assembling the first, second and third guides into afinal guide.

In yet another aspect, a computer-implemented method is provided forgenerating a planning document including receiving an input from a firstuser that includes user selections relating to a project type;generating planning sheets related to the project type and populatingsegments of the planning sheets with a first set of data categorizedbased on the user selections; granting access to the planning sheets toa second user and allowing the second user to modify at least a portionof the first set of data to create a second set of data in the segmentsof the planning sheets; and granting access to the planning sheets to athird user and allowing the third user to journal the actions to betaken in implementing a project based on at least portions of the firstand second sets of data in the planning sheets.

In yet another aspect, a computer-implemented method is provided forgenerating a project planning document including presenting queriesprompting responses relating to a project type, the responses providedby a first user in generating a first set of data; filtering the firstset of data and populating segments of a planning sheet with thefiltered first set of data based on project preferences defined in theresponses to the queries, the filtered first set of data included in aplanning guide; modifying the first set of data in the planning guide inresponse to interactive and collaborative queries made between the firstuser and a second user to create a project guide having a second set ofdata; and recording progress of an implementation by a third user of theproject guide to create a project journal, said project journalcomprising actions to be taken in implementing a project based on atleast portions of the first and second sets of data in the planningsheets.

In yet another aspect, a computer implemented method is provided forgenerating a project planning document including: presenting queriesrelating to a project type to prompt first inputs from a first user;filtering the first inputs to populate segments of an initial planningsheet representing an initial planning path with the filtered firstinputs, the filtering based on user selections from the first userprovided in response to the initial queries to create an initial projectplan; presenting a plurality of additional queries based on the filteredfirst inputs to prompt a plurality of secondary inputs; filtering theplurality of secondary inputs to populate segments of an alternativeplanning sheet representing an alternative planning path with filteredsecondary inputs, the filtering based on user selections from the firstuser provided in response to the plurality of additional queries,wherein an alternative project plan is produced from the alternativeplanning path, which is different from the initial project plan, andcreating a first guide that includes the alternative project plan;modifying the alternative project plan in response to interactive andcollaborative queries made between the first user and a second user toproduce a modified alternative project plan, and creating a second guidethat includes the modified alternative project plan; recording actionstaken and the progress being made in implementing the modifiedalternative project plan in a third guide; and generating a projectplanning document including at least the information included in thefirst guide, the second guide and the third guide.

In yet another aspect, a computer program product is provided formanaging projects. The computer program product including a computeruseable medium having a computer readable program. The computer readableprogram when executed on a computer causes the computer to: receive aninput including user selections relating to a project type provided by afirst user; generate planning sheets related to the project type andpopulating segments of the planning sheets with a first set of datacategorized based on the user selections; grant access to the planningsheets to a second user and allowing the second user to modify at leasta portion of the first set of data to create a second set of data in thesegments of the planning sheets; and record actions taken by a thirduser in implementing a project based on at least portions of the firstand second sets of data in the planning sheets.

In yet another aspect, a computer-implemented system is providedincluding network interface circuitry configured to receive data andtransmit data over a network; and at least one data processor coupled tothe network interface circuitry and configured by executableinstructions to generate a project planning document based on receiveddata. The executable instructions including executable instructions for:presenting queries prompting responses relating to a project of aproject type, the responses provided by a first user; populatingsegments of a planning sheet with the data filtered based on projectpreferences defined in the responses to the queries, the filtered dataincluded in a planning guide; modifying the filtered data in theplanning guide in response to interactive and collaborative queries andresponses made between the first user and a second user, the modifiedfiltered data included in a project guide; and recording the progress ofan implementation by a third user of the filtered data and modifiedfiltered data to create a project journal.

This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of theembodiments may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding maybe obtained by reference to the following detailed description of theembodiments along with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed in detailwith an emphasis on advantageous features thereof. These embodimentsdepict the novel and non-obvious aspects of the disclosure shown in theaccompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. Thesedrawings include the following figures, in which like numerals indicatelike parts:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary computing system forimplementing the embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a building system including a processthat allows a User to create a custom building project portfolio inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a design and construction processprovided by the building system in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the creation of a Vision album orPlanning guide in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the creation of a Project guide inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the creation of a Project journal inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7A provides a diagram illustrating a comprehensive planning,management and communication tool in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are illustrative examples of a planning sheet accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 8C is an illustrative example of a of a plan section and anexemplary illustration of its searchable categories according to anembodiment;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating how information is filteredand stored into the plan sections according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a screenshot showing an example of a graphical user interfacefor the planning system according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are a diagram and screenshots, respectively,illustrating features of the inspiration gallery according to anembodiment;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are screenshots illustrating features of the designcenter according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are screenshots illustrating features of a graphicaluser interface for the planning system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14A is a diagram representing the interaction between user groupsof the building system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating the building system of FIG. 14A as acomponent of the overall planning system and FIG. 14C is a cost, time,and quality filter usable with the system;

FIG. 15A is a is a graphical illustration representing the interactionbetween the planning system and information providers according to anembodiment;

FIG. 15B is a screenshot illustrating features of a graphical userinterface for the professionals profile/showcase listings according toan embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a planning system including a processthat allows a user to create a custom project in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a process for the planning systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating a view of plan, management,information, organization and communication segments involved in usingthe planning system in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary implementation ofthe planning system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of aplanning system. The planning system of the present disclosure may beused as a mechanism to create a planning document related to variousproject-planning uses. The technical problem relates to the presentinability in the art to be able to create a planning document that doesnot require the user to search volume upon volume of data in varioussources in an attempt to capture pertinent information related to theproject. The technical problem is solved as described below, byproviding a planning system that includes technical features that allowa user's wants, needs and desires to be quickly and efficientlycoordinated in an interactive and collaborative effort with others tocreate the planning document that has the benefit of input from experts,pundits, and other users. Due to the collaborative and interactivenature of the planning system, the creation of the planning document isdone faster, more efficient, and resolves more technical problems andissues than originally realized. The planning document provides a singledocument that moves forward in the planning system while being accessedand refined with potential input from participants and stakeholdersrelated to the project with information that is aggregated and organizedin the planning document.

In one embodiment, the planning system is described as a building systemthat outputs a series of guides or reports that include various forms ofdata related to the conception, design and construction phases forcreating a building structure (the building system). In otherembodiments, the planning system is described in more general terms,using other examples, as a project planning system that outputs a seriesof guides or reports which include various forms of data related to theconception, design and implementation phases for creating a customproject involving numerous other industries (the project system). Thedescriptions set forth the technical features involved in, and the stepsfor using the planning system in connection with the illustratedembodiments. It is to be understood that the same or equivalentfunctions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments,which are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure, especially those incorporating a combination oftechnical features shown in the different embodiments included herein.

Many of the functions and technical features described in thisspecification have been labeled as modules, steps, processes or asimilar designation, in order to emphasize their implementationindependence. Modules may be implemented in software for execution byvarious types of processors. An identified module of executable code mayinclude one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions,which may be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Theexecutables of an identified module need not be physically locatedtogether, but may include instructions stored in different locationswhich, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achievethe stated purpose for the module. A module of executable codes may be asingle instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributedover several different code segments, among different programs, andacross several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may beidentified and illustrated herein within one or more modules, and may beembodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type ofdata structure. The operational data may be collected as a single dataset, or may be distributed over different locations including overdifferent storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely aselectronic signals on a system or network.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of acomputing system 100 for executing the adaptive technical features ofthe present disclosure described below in detail. In one exemplaryembodiment, the computing system 100 may include a server 102 or networkof exchange servers 102 in communication with a database 104, and one ormore server clients, workstations, mobile devices, laptops 106 connectedto the server 102 through a data network 108. The data network 106includes a Local Area Network (LAN), or alternatively, may include awireless LAN, a Wide Area Network (WAN), the internet, and the like. Inone embodiment, the server 102 may include a software application thatremains on the server 102 where the clients use a web browser tointeract with the software application.

The server 102 may provide application services, web services, mailservices, data storage services, and communication services, used tosupport operations of the adaptive embodiments. The server 102 may hostan apparatus, software application, or the like to perform theoperations of the disclosed embodiments. In one embodiment, a singleserver 102 may provide some or all of theses services, or a plurality ofservers 102 may be used to provide these services. The database 104stores data for use by the server 102. The database 104 may be remote tothe server 102, or may reside on the server 102. The database 104 mayinclude a storage controller, data storage devices such as magnetic,solid state, or optical storage disks, data input/output (I/O) controls,and the like as are well known in the art.

In one embodiment, the planning system may be provided in the form of acomputer program product for managing projects and resolving technicalissues related to the projects. The computer program product may includea computer useable medium having a computer readable program, where thecomputer readable program when executed on a computer causes thecomputer to perform various steps. In another embodiment, networkinterface circuitry is provided and configured to receive data andtransmit data over a network. At least one data processor is coupled tothe network interface circuitry and configured by program instructionsto generate a project planning document based on received data into theplanning system. The data processor may also command transmissions of atleast a part of the project planning document over the network.

In one embodiment, the planning system is initially populated with dataand information that enters the planning system either by request or bygrant of permission. As illustrated in FIG. 15A, the data andinformation is placed in an appropriate sector collaboration module 1500to be made available to users of the planning system to aid in theconception and design of the projects. Generally, in one embodiment, thedata and information 1502 is delivered to the system in a preformattedtemplate, for example as shown in FIG. 15B, that provides a means to theinformation provider to organize all of the information that it hasavailable or desires to share with the users of the planning system whodesire to access and use the information.

As shown in FIG. 15A, information sources may be any source that cancontribute and benefit any project, such as by providing input thatsolves a problem or suggests a different alternative that results in atime savings, a cost savings, a better quality project, and the like.Generally, the data and information 1502 may fall into certain sectors,which include, but are not limited to, for example the Public Sector1506, the Professional Sector 1508, the Resource Sector 1510 and theService Sector 1512. As shown in the sector collaboration diagram 1500of FIG. 15A, the data and information 1502 enters the planning systemthrough a data filter 1504. The data filter 1504 organizes, aggregates,codes and delivers the data and information 1502 for proper placementunder the appropriate sector locations on the system. The properplacement of the data and information facilitates later use of the dataand information in a project. Other sectors may also come into thesector collaboration component of the system.

The data and information 1502 may be coded to facilitate the searchingprocess. The information and data may be made accessible through a link,such as, but not limited to, a designated network listing 1514, aprofessional showcase 1516, a manufacturer showcase 1518, and a servicelisting 1520 that reside on the planning system. In one embodiment, theinformation provided by the outside information providers is transferredvia the data filter 1504 to the appropriate action modules residing onthe planning system. As described below, the data and information isplaced in, for example, an Inspiration Gallery, a Design Center or otheraction modules, which maintain searchable photos, images, drawings,renderings schematics, and the like, and which maintain the informationregarding the professionals who provide the services and products beingprofiled.

In one embodiment, the Public Sector 1506 may include, but is notlimited to, for example groups whose services are related to theinteraction between a consumer and public entities. These groups mayinclude: a) Trade Groups, which may provide a link between themanufacturers, the industry professionals and the consumers; b) NonProfits, which may provide links to information and education andindustry best practices; c) Government Agencies, which may provide linksto building codes, restrictions and agency review processingrequirements; d) Utility Companies, which may provide tips on how tosave energy savings; e) Continuing Education Sources, which may link toschedules of events that are geared toward serving industryprofessionals; f) Unions; and g) Universities. Because of theinteraction between the public sector participants, the planning systempromotes bipartisan participation that results in better projectoutcomes.

Industry professionals may come on to the planning system and provideinformation which showcases their respective services, including companyinformation, personal biographies, photos from their project portfolios,awards, accreditations and the like. In the context of planning aconstruction related project, the Professional Sector 1508 may include,for example, Land Planners, Architects, Engineers, Designers, LandscapeArchitects and Designers, Lighting designers, Green and SustainabilityExperts, Construction Managers, General Contractors, Sub Contractors,Specialty Contractors, Property Managers and Maintenance Crews. TheIndustry Professionals may be identified and categorized by pastwork/projects, profession/trade, location, specialty, license, bond,accreditations and the like on the planning system and may be listed ina directory type format for ease of use.

In the Resource Sector 1510, manufacturers and the like, may includedetails about their capabilities, prices, availability for projects andthe attributes of their products. The Service Sector 1512 may includeinformation related to financing, lending, insurance and the like, andinclude Bankers and Financial Institutions, Insurance Brokers andCarriers, Real Estate Service Providers, Appraisers, Pest Controlproviders, Specialty Service providers, Marketing Services, PropertyManagers, Maintenance Service providers and the like.

In one embodiment, the groups represented in the sector collaborationdiagram 1500 may form a network that can interact, collaborate anddiscuss topics of interest to the groups. For example, the sector groupsmay discuss industry needs or share ideas related to innovationsadvancing their respective industries. The sector groups may conductforums and may form committees created to incubate ideas that arebeneficial to the entire network of sector groups. The interactionbetween the sector groups may take place on blogs or via a similarcommunication means. Collaboration between the different groups advancesthe art by bringing the overall knowledge of the different groups to ahigher shared level. Thus, the groups may be able to solve problems orissues for a particular project in a different way that otherwise wouldnot be available without the facilitation provided by the presentmethods, systems, and apparatuses. In most industries and in most caseseach occurrence of a project begins from scratch. The lessons learnedand the experiences from past projects are not necessarily passed to thenext person or group who embark on the same or similar project type. Byusing the planning system, the lessons and the experiences may beshared, saved, organized and made retrievable when needed by anyone whocomes into the process or has the need to proceed in any complexprocess/project. Once solutions are tested and perfected they may becomeindustry standards. In most cases, the level of understanding, knowledgeand excellence made towards achieving a certain task is elevatedresulting in better project outcomes.

Upon entering the planning system, the user is able to search and viewany desired information in the system related to the information thathas been provided by the information providers.

Generally, a user of the planning system begins by providing informationinto a system interface, which may be referred to as a Planning Kit or aConsultation package. The Planning Kit may request, query or prompt theuser for information regarding project type and other demographicinformation, which then leads to additional requests or prompts that areappropriate to the specific project identified by the user. In oneembodiment, the Cost, Time, Quality may be specified by a user. The usermay specify any one of the criteria and view products, systems or datarelated to the one or more criteria (Cost, Time, Quality). The user mayalso relate any two or three of the criteria in degree of importance toa project to help them refine the project as it relates to these factors(see FIG. 14C). The information provided by the user is used to createPlanning Sheets. Each project has a set of Planning Sheets created whichidentify a complete list of tasks and requirements necessary to completea designated project type. In the Planning Sheets, the tasks, componentsand requirements are broken down into segments of various categories andsubcategories. While being created for a specific project, the PlanningSheets are populated with the data and information provided by theinformation providers that are relevant to or skilled in a particularproject type. The Planning Sheets also store and record the userselections of information from the action modules described below. ThePlanning Sheets provide a means by which the user and othercollaborators may continuously populate or edit the Planning Sheets toprovide additional details and refinements related to the project, asthe project progresses from conception to implementation. Thus, thePlanning Sheets represent the framework of the project, which extendsthrough each phase or the life of the project. In addition, the PlanningSheets provide access to the information by all users, which promotescollaboration between project participants and others, who may access,revise, modify and input additional data during all phases of a projectas described below.

After the user has interfaced with the Planning Kit and the PlanningSheets are created, the user may access action modules, such as theInspirations Gallery, the Project Profiles, and other ProfessionalShowcases, where the user may find information, products andprofessional services that facilitate the project and define theanticipated work. As mentioned above, the Planning Sheets are populatedwith the data provided by the user and others. Each user has access to aSystem Dashboard and Project Control Panel. The System Dashboardprovides access to system tools. The Project Control Panel providesaccess to project specific data. In one embodiment, this interactiveeffort when finalized produces the Vision Album, also referred to as thePlanning Guide or Planning Report, which is a high level review of theproject that identifies the project parameters and guidelines, serviceselections and product selections as recorded and stored in the PlanningSheets.

The user may then interact and collaborate with an individual or teamdedicated to helping create or design the project. The design team isgranted access to the project via the Vision Album to allow for aninteractive collaboration that allows the user and the design team tocreate a Project Guide, which may also be referred to as the ProjectReport. The Project Guide includes the selections made and set forth inthe Planning Guide as well as the revisions, changes, modifications, anddeletions, made in communication, interaction and collaboration with thedesign team to refine the selections on an iterative basis and make theselections final. Once the interactive collaboration with the designteam generates final selections, the design team provides the plans,specifications and other details that allow one to actually implement orbuild the project based on the final selections. The final selections,specifications, plans and the like are incorporated into the ProjectGuide upon approval from the user.

After selections are made, access to the project may be granted to abuild team that implements or constructs the project. The build teamremains in contact with both the user and design team via the planningsheets throughout the implementation process, as changes andmodifications may still be made by the build team during the buildingphase. In one embodiment, the build team has access to customized workorders that are formatted for each trade and or installation. Eachrequired product for a specific installation may be listed on the workorders. This helps project participants from wasting time picking up orordering materials, that are sometimes forgotten. Each product on thework orders may be linked to a calculator built into the form. The usermay enter the size/area or other pertinent information and thecalculator automatically calculates the quantity/size of each item. Forexample, a user desires to order drywall for an installation. The usermay access the work order and use the calculator to help the useridentify the number and size of drywall sheets required. The work ordermay also list nails, screws, glue, tape, mud, sand paper and the toolsthat are generally required for this type of installation. Once the userenters the wall square footage, the system calculates the number ofsheets, it also identifies the quantity of nails, screws, tape, mud andthe like needed for the installation. The work orders may be customizedby any user to serve its specific needs. All actions taken by the buildteam are documented, journaled or recorded in the planning sheets toultimately be assembled in a guide or report referred to as the ProjectJournal.

The final output of the planning system includes a completed ProjectManual or Portfolio that incorporates an assembled compilation of allthe information found in each of the guides/reports prepared through useof the planning system. In addition to the information compiled in theproject journal, as products and systems are purchased and installedback up data including warranty information and maintenancerecommendations and requirements are uploaded into the project datafiles. All of this information becomes part of the journal records. Insome embodiments, a maintenance program becomes part of the ProjectManual that is passed along with the completed project. The ProjectPortfolio/Building Manual as well as each of the other intermediateguides, may be presented on disc, printed in a bound book or presentedin a three ring binder form.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment for using the planningsystem as a building system 200 including a process that allows a userto create a custom building project plan from a vague idea or concept inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The technicalfeatures described allow users the ability to design, plan, manage andimplement, for example, a building construction project. The processtakes input from the user and organizes it into the building system 200for various other users or user groups to review and refine.

In one embodiment, the building system 200 provides a generallycomprehensive site for aspects of the process, such as for: (1) planning(2) design, (3) building, (4) product needs and the like to build abuilding or renovated structure. The building system 200 may be aweb-based, interactive, and collaborative, planning, designing andfacilitating tool that connects an owner/developer, architect, builder,subcontractor, suppliers, and other individuals/parties together,on-line from almost any internet connection in the world, to select,plan, and construct or renovate a building or structure. By beingbroad-based and not limited to a specific geographic location, differenttastes, feels, and cultural inputs can be part of the process.

Generally, the building system 200 facilitates the integration ofbuilding products and systems into all types of buildings: residential,commercial, industrial, mid-rise, high-rise and the like. As shown inFIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the building system 200 divides the designand construction of any building Project into at least three divisionsor phases. In one embodiment, the first division or conceptual planphase includes an Owner/developer 202 (Owner 202), the second divisionor plan phase includes a Design team 204, and the third division orbuild phase includes a Build team 206. As described below, the Owner202, Design team 204 and the Build team 206 form Users or User Groupseach of which has certain needs, skills sets and responsibilities in thedesign and building process as well as responsibilities and obligationsto the other User Groups.

The Owner 202 represents the User Group that typically initiates thewant or need for the project. The Owner 202 sets parameters andguidelines, such as, but not limited to, budget, building type, projecttype, occupancy, timeline, and the like, as well as products andservices, to describe the overall Vision of the project. The Owner 202is responsible for communicating or reporting the parameters andguidelines to the Design team 204.

The Design team 204 may include one or many professionals including, butnot limited to, Architects, Builders, Contractors, Developers andEngineers, Designers, Draftsman and other professionals, who may behired by the Owner 202 to design and create the Building Plan and allthe necessary specifications needed to get the requisite buildingpermits to construct the Project. The Design team 204 is generallyresponsible for ensuring that the Building Plan reflects the Vision ofthe Owner 202. In one embodiment, the building system 200 provides adatabase-driven project selection menu that allows Professionals to workas a project team no matter where the team members are geographicallylocated. For example, for a given construction project, the Design teammay consist of an Architect, a Designer, and a Contractor (collectively,ADC), who may be experts in their respective fields. The ADC may eachreside in different areas around the globe. In one embodiment, thebuilding system 200 is accessible via the www; however, alternativelythe system may be deployed on local host systems. Using the www, theDesign team may, for example, view, select, store, purchase, warehouseand ship products directly to a project site without ever visiting amaterial supply store or meeting face-to-face. The construction projectunder the care of the ADC team can view, save, store, modify, specify,and revise any and all aspects of the project, including making changesin building materials, piping, roofing materials, and specifying the useof environmentally friendly products, such as solar panels, recycledmaterials, and low flow bathroom fixtures and the like.

The Build team 206 may include one or many professionals including, butnot limited to, a General Contractor, Soils Engineers, Graders, Framers,Plumbers, Electricians, and other professional tradesman and contractorsthat may be hired to construct the Project as designed by the Designteam 204 while adhering to the rules and regulations of the officiatingagencies as well as local planning & building departments or planningcommissions. The Build team 206 is responsible to journal all of theactions taken and document all of the products and systems installedthat require any type of maintenance or service throughout the life ofthe building. In this way, anyone who is given the task of maintainingthe building may know the product and manufacturer details, whichfacilitates warranty or repair work. The Build team 206 is furtherresponsible to record or link recommended cleaning products/proceduresand frequency of recommended service or maintenance to the Journal andprovide to the Owner 202 a quality completed project that reflects theOwner's vision for the project.

The building system 200 allows each User Group to generate guides orreports that are created to document the progress of a User's projectfrom concept, through planning, to final construction in an interactiveand innovative process. The guides may be used individually; however,they may be used in conjunction with each other. The guides representthe Output created by the interaction of each User Group with thebuilding system 200, thus each User Group is responsible for creating aspecific guide during the project. In one embodiment, the guides includea Vision album 208, which may also be referred to as a Planning guide208, a Project guide 210 and a Project journal 212. Each guide mayconstitute a physical compilation of data that may be viewed, printedand delivered to the user or other interested party. Alternatively, theguides may be a virtual (electronic) compilation of data, hosted on theplanning system platform for viewing and outputting, or that may beelectronically delivered to another party for viewing and subsequentoutputting as a printed document.

The Vision album 208 is initially created by the Owner 202. During theconcept plan phase (first division), the Owner 202 interacts withvarious action modules or databases hosted on the planning system. Theaction modules and databases provide a formatted list of projectcomponents for the selected project type, and conceptual designelements, to input, select and clarify the conceptual design elements,including, but not limited to, all parameters, requirements, guidelines,products and services and other initial selections for the project.

The action modules, described below, work as independent modules toallow a User to be able to design, plan, track and build his or her owncustomized project through a project development module. When used tocreate a Project, the action modules help to limit the informationpertinent to the choices made by the User in order to drive theselection process to creation of a final vision or concept. The Actionmodules may also include their own set of tools and features.

While creating the Vision album 208, the Owner 202 may access andinteract with information provided by various information providers,such as those shown in the graph 1500 of FIG. 15A. As previouslymentioned, the information providers may provide information thatshowcases or highlights their own services and products that areavailable to the Owner 202, which also helps create the parameters,guidelines, products and services and the other initial selections forthe project.

Initially, the information provided by the Owner 202 is divided into thePlanning Sheets. The Planning Sheets include information broken down orseparated into segments, phases or sections, related to certain steps inthe construction process. The sections may be filled, for example, usingan intelligent checklist provided to the Owner 202, for example, likethe representative checklist shown in FIG. 10 . The checklist allows theOwner to enter the project criteria and parameters and guidelines, suchas location, type of construction, number of rooms, size, options,colors and the like. The selections may be furthered organized into setsof classes and subclasses for further categorization of the information.As described below, the Planning Sheets provide a means for conveyingthe Building Plan information through the concept, the plan and thebuilding phases of the construction project for access by all Users andUser Groups as the need arises (See FIG. 14A). Only one set of PlanningSheets is issued/used per project. The control and responsibility forrecording and documenting into the Planning Sheets is passed along asthe project progresses from Plan to Design then Build to MaintainPhases. When the Owner 202 completes and closes his or her Vision Albumhe or she passes control to the next team who completes and records thedesign and specifications for the project. The planning sheets areupdated as work progresses; thus, everyone is working with the mostcurrent set of project information.

The Project guide 210 is created by the Design team 204 upon review ofthe selections made and set forth in the Vision album 208 by the Owner202. The Design team 204 communicates, interacts and collaborates withthe Owner 202 as well as other consultants and or industry experts torefine on an iterative basis and make final the selections made usingthe Action modules and databases. The final selections are incorporatedinto the Project guide 210 upon approval from the Owner 202.

The Project journal 212 is created by the Build team 206 and is used totrack the construction and log the processes and progress of theconstruction project as actions are taken to construct the project. TheProject journal 212 may also be used to manage the delivery of labor andmaterials to the construction site.

The final output of the building system 200 is a completed Projectportfolio 214 that is designed as a Users Guide or Building Manual forthe project, designed to stay with the project, from owner to owner, orto be used by a manager of, for example, a commercial building to helpmanage the building after completion. The Project portfolio 214 includesthe information that has been generated by the building system 200 forinclusion in each guide. For example, the Vision album 208, the Projectguide 210 and the Project journal 212, as well as any other informationrelated to or used in the construction, and that may assist with futuremaintenance, repairs and renovations, including, but not limited to, allactions taken, all plans, drawings, permits, specifications, engineeringcalculations, product warranties, service contracts and the like areincluded in the Project portfolio.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a design and construction processs300 provided by the building system 200 in accordance with anembodiment. With reference now to FIG. 2 in addition to FIG. 3 , thedesign and construction process s300 involves developing the Visionalbum 208 (s302), developing the Project guide 210 (s304) and developingthe Project journal 212 (s306) for a particular project initiated by theOwner 202. Each of the steps in the process (s300) is completed by oneof the three User groups 202, 204 and 206, alone or in combination,before being handed off to the next User group for further refinements,modifications, additions, subtractions and implementation.

Once each of the guides has been created, all the guides and otherpertinent information are assembled into the completed Project portfolio214 (s308), which includes the complete package of design andconstruction documents and information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the process (s302) of developing theVision album 208 in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4 ,the conceptual plan process of the building system 200 includes thedevelopment of the Vision album 208 (s302) initiated by the Owner 202.The Owner 202 may be prompted or otherwise provides and specifies thenature and scope of the project. The Owner 202 may access the conceptualdesign elements module 402, which provides access to the Action modulesor databases, which in one embodiment includes a Consultation package404, an Inspiration gallery 406, a Design center 408 and a Scrapbook410.

The Consultation package 404 allows the Owner 202 to identify and recordthe functionality, the look, specific desires and budget constraints upfront through using a guided consultation and a visual step-by-stepselection process. In one embodiment, the Owner 202 is offered apreformatted online consultation package, which is designed to producethe information that enables the Design team 204 to understand and servethe Owner 202 throughout the process. The consultation package 404 maybe formatted, designed and customized for each and every industryproject type. For example, the consultation package is different foreach project, such as career, education or wedding planning. In thebuilding system 200, the consultation package 404 may be customized foreach type of building project, for example, residential, multifamily,commercial, office/retail, industrial, and light/heavy buildingprojects. Once the Owner 202 completes the consultation, a projectinformation file 404 a is generated, which includes the selectedguidelines.

The Inspiration Gallery 406 provides the Owner 202 with the ability toview photos, images, and other samples of, for example, products,completed projects including award winning and green certified examples,floor plans and layouts and systems that are meant to inspire orgenerate ideas in the mind of the User. The images selected are groupedinto a selected images file 406 a (FIG. 4 ). FIG. 11A is a diagram of anembodiment of the Inspiration Gallery 406. As shown in this figure,images 1102 are coded and loaded into the Inspiration Gallery 406 viathe planning sheets (described below) from the information providers,from other projects and from other industry sources. The Owner 202 mayprovide access to any person or group who the Owner desires to sharetheir vision of the project during the Plan Phase. Comments received maybe stored in an in-box for the Owner 202 to incorporate in some mannerif desired. The Inspiration Gallery 406 may include, for example,thousands of images to millions of images available for viewing. In thisembodiment, the User is able to access the Inspiration gallery 406 toview and select various images to help inspire his or her own project.The images may be displayed in a thumbnail format as shown in thescreenshot depicted in FIG. 11B. The User may select an image 1102 thatis already related to a project, in which case, the User may click onthe image 1102 and further details 1106 regarding a specific image 1104are made to appear as shown in FIG. 11C. The further details may includethe names of products used and the names of professional serviceproviders who provided the services. In one embodiment, a toolbar 1108may be made available for annotating, tagging, titling, cropping,labeling and making notes to the selected images. The User may saveproject related images directly into the vision album. The projectrelated images stored in the vision album are stored in the planningsheets related to the particular project. The User may save images thatare unrelated to a project, but still coded from the planning sheets toa scrapbook for later use.

Referring again to FIG. 4 , the Design center 408 provides a virtualmarketplace from which the Owner 202 may make selections of buildingmaterials and products. The Design center 408 includes the ability tofilter the choices made available to the user so that the buildingmaterials and products reflect only those items that correspond to theUser's Vision as evidenced by selections found in the projectinformation file 404 a and the selected images file 406 a. In oneembodiment, the Owner 202 is allowed to research, compare, save andpurchase products for the Project. In yet another embodiment, the Designcenter 408 may provide product choices that offer Green and sustainableproducts and systems so that the Owner 202 may optimize the Healthy,Green, Sustainable (HGS) nature of the project. The selections from theDesign center 408 are placed into a selected products file 408 a. In oneembodiment, for each selection that an Owner 202 makes in the conceptualdesign element module 402, he or she is presented with additional ideason how to implement the selection. In some embodiments, the additionalideas are provided to promote ideas that optimize the HGS nature of theproject.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are screenshots illustrating features of the Designcenter 408 according to an embodiment. The Design center 408 isavailable to any User Group. The Users are allowed to view, select andpurchase products. The Design center provides a portal for buildingmaterials, products and systems. In one embodiment, Professionals may beallowed to join a co-op type of membership where they may buy in bulkand presumably save money. In the design center, various products may bebundled and prepackaged for special offerings to users of the planningsystem. Preformatted work orders are also available to make the planningprocess for any industry installation more effective, efficient andcomplete.

In some embodiments, the Owner 202 may be allowed to save, organize andshare his or her own images, product descriptions, professionalreferrals and the like in a separate images file referred to as aScrapbook 410 created by the Owner 202. The data saved in the Scrapbook410 may be compiled from sources outside the building system platformand may or may not be associated with a particular project. In oneembodiment, the Vision Album may receive information from outsidewebsites as directed by the user. A user using the planning system maybe authorized to select images while visiting other websites. Thus, eachimage that the user selects may be stored in the Scrapbook 410 via alink back to the image's originating URL. The actual selections madefrom the Scrapbook 410 are placed into a selected images file 410 a foruse in developing the Vision Album 208.

In some embodiments, a Bid/Information Inquiry Room may be created sothat the Owner 202 has the ability to post requests for bids toqualified professionals for acceptance or in the alternative may postrequests for proposals so that qualified professionals may bid on aparticular project or phase of a project. This particular featurefacilitates and improves the accuracy of project forecasting andbudgeting. The information drawn from the Bid Room may also be storedfor use in the Vision Album.

Next, the information and data from the project information file 404 a,the selected images file 406 a, the selected products file 408 a, andthe user compiled information 410 a, including any other informationprovided by the information providers 412, are compiled into the Visionalbum 208. It should be noted that the Owner 202 may start, save, andrestart the development of the Vision album 208 at anytime and continuethe development for as long as necessary to complete the guide or untilthe Owner is ready to proceed with the Project. In some instances, theOwner 202 may plan over an extended period, for example, from one monthto upwards of 2-3 years or more to collect all of the data desired forthe Project. Once fully developed, the Vision album 208 may be accessedby the Design team 204 or other industry consultants for incorporationof the information into the planning phase (second division) of thebuilding system 200.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the process (s304) of developing theProject guide 210 in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5 ,once the Vision album 208 is created, the information flow andcollaboration between the Owner 202 and the Design team 204 begins torefine the Vision album 208 and develop the Project guide 210. Thedevelopment of the Project guide 210 involves input from the Design team204, which may include a host of Professionals, such as, for example,interior designers, architects, civil engineers, electricians, soundsystem specialists, landscape designers and the like. The Design team204 reviews the Vision of the Project created by the Owner 202 set forthin the Vision album 208 and reforms or modifies the Vision into aworkable reality with concrete line items, design criteria,specifications, plans and the like.

The Design team 204 may access the Vision album 208 to retrieve theinformation from the planning sheets necessary to begin formulating theBuilding Plan. The Design team 204 can use the information stored in theplanning sheets as a guide and template to understand the needs of theOwner 202 for the Project. Any information that may be lacking may thenbe addressed by the Design team 204 using inquiries to the Owner 202.Similarly, the Design team 204 may access the Consultation package 404,the Inspiration gallery 406, the Design center 408 and the Scrapbook 410to determine what the Owner 202 needs, wants and desires are for theProject. In many case, the Owner 202 or Design team 204 may determinethat early involvement of the entire team to include the Build team 206is advisable for the best project outcome. All participants are able atone time to access and comment or upload data to the project and theproject planning sheets through the planning system. In one example, theDesign team 204 from a first geographic location contributes to theplanning sheets and the Consultation package 404 but cannot resolve orprovide a final workable solution. However, a Design team, Build team orindustry sector(s) member/group 1500 from a second geographic location,because of its different experience, exposure, and expertise, is able tocontribute to the planning sheets and provide a final workable solution.

Advantageously, the building system 200 allows for completecollaboration between members of the User Groups. Here, the Design team204 is able to go into the conceptual design element module 402 andprocess its work in one place using the Inspirations gallery 406 todetermine the desired look of the project. The Design team is also ableto go into the Consultation package 404 and Scrapbook 410 to find theneeds, wants and desires of the Owner 202 and the Design center 408. TheDesign team is further able to go into the provider information 412 tosearch, select and store the products and systems the Owner desires tobe used on the project. Any work that is not processed on the planningsystem may be uploaded into the project files becoming an inclusivesource for all information and documentation on the project. Users areable to use forms such as payment requests, requests for payments, lienreleases, proposals and contracts that are provided on a User Dashboard.These forms can be customized by the User or the User may up-load hisown form. The process for bidding and billing may be a guided process,where all of the forms, including lien releases and payment requests arepart of a checklist that is posted on the planning system. Once theforms are on the planning system, the forms maybe made available to anyother User to avoid the use of separate forms and processes. The formsmay be pre-vetted by a legal team or attorney. Having pre-vetted formsavailable is a valuable resource, for example, when a project has bankfinancing and there is a voucher system or payment control system inplace.

Once conceptual design elements are refined by the Design team 204 andapproved by the Owner 202, the elements are considered approved designelements. The approved design elements are then grouped into the Projectguide 210 for delivery to the Build team 206. In some cases, especiallywhen the intent is to certify a project as an HGS project, the Buildteam including subcontractors may be involved earlier on in the process.This earlier input may help to insure that everyone has had a chance togive their input, which may result in fewer changes during construction.The HGS projects are designed to function in a certain capacity and tohave low levels of toxicity throughout the project. The Health of theoccupants and the Environment are both considered when specifyingproducts and systems. In many cases systems and components that arespecified are designed to serve one another or to function together.When random changes occur during construction the building may no longerfunctions as originally designed. By having a communication andcollaboration platform available, the Users may invite any member of anyteam onto the planning system at any time to comment or critique adecision. Thus, decisions may be based on complete information andunderstanding.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the process (s306) of developing theProject journal 212 in accordance with an embodiment. In the buildingphase (third division) of the Project, the Build team 206, which mayinclude, but not limited to, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers andthe like, receives the Project guide 210 to implement the line itemsidentified in the guide. The implementation may include a number ofduties, all of which are detailed in the Project journal 212. Forexample, part of the collaborating and managing duties includes workingwith product suppliers on delivery, budget, warehousing, shipping, andscheduling.

As shown in FIG. 6 , after receiving the project guide 210, the Buildteam 206 may access a management module 602. The management module 602may include a system dashboard module 604 a and a project dashboardmodule 604 b, which provide tools and controls that streamline theconstruction processes. For example, as shown in the screenshots 1300 ofFIGS. 13A and 13B, in one embodiment, the system dashboard module 604 aprovides the ability to schedule, manage, collaborate, document, budgetand the like, and share and communicate with other Users on the project.The project dashboard module 604 a may also provide a management toolallowing for management of one or more projects. The project dashboardmodule 604 b is a project specific tool where a user manages andaccesses all data stored to a specific project including data andinformation from the Inspirations Gallery, Products Directory, ProjectGallery, Professional Showcases and the like.

Referring again to FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, the management module 602provides access to, for example, the Design center 408 and the selectedproducts file 408 a. The information assembled in the selected productsfile 408 a provides the Build team 206 a guide from which to bid onproducts and services, schedule deliveries, communicate and collaborateon owner/developer approved products, budget actual costs, order andtrack product orders, and record any modifications that are made duringthe process. The Build team 206 assembles, compiles and records theactions taken to implement the project, including the information anddata generated in the management module 602 about the Project into theProject journal 212.

While developing the Project journal 212, the Build team 206 is involvedwith the actual construction of the Project. Thus, the Project journal212 is also supplemented with information and data detailing the actualactions taken to construct the Project. Because of the detailedaccounting in the Project journal 212, the Project journal helps toreduce any misunderstandings, miscommunications and misinformation thatsometimes plague other construction planning schemes. The Projectjournal 212 may provide a valuable tool in helping to avoid or reducethe impact of any arbitration or litigation that may stem from theconstruction Project.

As a final step in the process (s308) of the building system 200, theaggregate of the information assembled in the Vision album 208, theProject guide 210, and the Project journal 212 are assembled into theProject portfolio 214, which now includes detailed information aboutevery aspect of the construction Project. The completed Projectportfolio 214 is provided to the Owner 202 to provide a historical guidethat may be helpful with regard to future maintenance and renovationprojects. For example, when a product or system breaks down and repairsare needed, the owner or maintenance person may refer to the Projectportfolio 214 to determine who manufactured and installed the product orsystem and who to go to for warranty work and the like. In manyinstances, the information provided in the Project portfolio 214 makesit possible to repair instead of replace, since the product informationis available to re-order or find parts. In the event that an addition,remodel or renovation is to be made to the Project, the Projectportfolio 214 may provide information that may be needed to efficientlybegin the new Project. For example, information regarding the locationsof critical support beams, electrical outlets, sewer line, pluming pipesand the like, may reduce the need to open up walls, break up concrete orclimb in attics or crawl spaces to get the same information. Engineeringspecifications and the like kept in the Project portfolio 214 may helpto reduce the time required to obtain a permit for new construction.Choices made regarding room colors, wall textures, fabrics, carpets,fixtures and other finish products may help to facilitate theseselections for a renovated space, as well as ensure consistency ofquality. Thus, the technical features of the computer-implementedprocess for generating a planning document should be understood toinclude the ability to generate a first guide or report that includesparameters, guidelines, product selection and service selection relatingto a project selected by a first user; generate a second report thatincludes modifications to at least one of the parameters, guidelines,product selection, and service selection relating to the project basedon input by a second user; and generate a third report that journalsactions to be taken in implementing the project using the parameters,guidelines, product selection and service selection set forth in thefirst report and as modified in the second report.

In one embodiment, a user may access the planning system not to plan anentire project, but instead to use the planning system to document aproject. The user may enter the project criteria into the planningsystem that delivers a set of planning sheets to the user. The userjournals all of the product and system data as it is being installed.The user may do additional research and document the products installedbefore the information is lost. With this information, the user maycreate a type of Project Portfolio, which serves as a valuable tool forthe Owner and future Owners of the building. The Project portfolio willalso be valuable to a building owner or an insurance company in the caseof a catastrophic loss. The Owner will not have to go back and try torecreate the structure and the components from scratch. The insurancecompany will also be able to rely on an accurate set of data and willnot be subject to paying for or replacing items that were not installed.The Project portfolio is also a valuable tool to Developers who buildand turn over a project where recommended or mandatory maintenanceshould be done but could be overlooked. An example is a developer whobuilds a condominium complex, sells the units and turns the project overto a HOA. The project has decks on some of the upper levels that requiremaintenance and recoating every 3 to 5 years. Seven years aftercompleting the project the builder is notified that the decks areleaking and that there is rotting structural members and damage to thelower units. The builder delivered a Project Portfolio that included aten year maintenance schedule to the HOA. The schedule called out andnotified the HOA that the decks were due to be cleaned and recoated atthree year intervals. The maintenance schedule called out the productsto be used and the company who provided the service in the area. The HOAwas unorganized and overlooked the deck coating process. The HOA wasunable to produce documentation that it had followed through on itsresponsibility, thus the developer/builder and their insurance companiesare not liable. However, with a schedule that provides the informationneeded by the HOA and notifies the HOA when the work is to be done makesit easy for the HOA to maintain and upkeep buildings. Another advantageof the Project Portfolio is realized when a building is being renovatedor demolished. The Owner/Builder/Developer can each post the project online and make its soon to be discarded materials available to charitableorganizations such as Habitat for Humanity who may be interested inpulling out some of the products and materials to recycle or reuse,therefore reducing waste at overfilling landfills and demolition costs.

FIG. 7 provides a diagram illustrating a comprehensive view of the startto finish, plan, management and communication segments involved in theplanning system as it relates more specifically to the planning sheetsin accordance with an embodiment. The diagram provides a visualrepresentation of how information is fed into each segment, from aprevious segment, and into the planning sheets of the planning system toprovide a completed Project portfolio 214 in accordance with anembodiment.

In the context of the building system 200, the process shown in FIG. 7is generally initiated by the owner or developer that desires to eitherbuild a new structure or renovate an existing structure. In operation,the Owner 202 provides information regarding the concept or vision forthe project. One aspect of the information includes project criteriainformation, such as location, type of construction, type, use andnumber of rooms, sizes, options and other associated parameters andguidelines. The information may be inserted into building system 200using any well know user interface, for example, but not limited to, agraphical user interface via fillable forms, selectable lists or images,and prompts, such as via an iterative interview process and the like. Aspreviously described, all information regarding the Project is enteredinto building system 200 via the planning sheets that incorporate ameans to classify building parameters, products and processes. In theplanning sheets, products, services, systems and the like arecategorized and may be selected using a systematic approach that followsan order that emulates closely with how a building is actuallyconstructed as opposed to, for example, the typical ConstructionStandard Institute (CSI) order of product selection. The planning sheetsprovide a visual tool that allows Professionals, as well as projectowners, to view, select, store for review and purchase buildingproducts, services and systems through each segment of the constructionproject.

In FIG. 7 , the planning sheets 702 are represented as a wheel or circledivided into individual plan sections 704. Each individual plan section704 represents a different phase or aspect of the design/constructionprocess, thus allowing the User to individually account for most or allaspects of the construction process. As shown in the figure, theplanning sheets 702 transcend through the entire system. As the systemcontinues toward the formation of the Project portfolio 214, theplanning sheets 702 visually narrow, representing the fact that theinformation and data regarding the Project have become refined andfinalized because of the communication, interaction and collaboration ofthe User Groups.

The plan sections 704 may be divided into any number of phases oraspects that may be considered a part of the construction process, andmay be individually customized by each User for each particular project.As shown in the graphical example in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in one embodiment,the plan sections 704 may include, but are not limited to, plansections, such as project analysis, infrastructure, systems schematics,site preparation and grading, foundation and underground, buildingstructure, shell and core, mechanical, plumbing and electrical,weatherproof and insulation, interior finishes, exterior finishes andsite finishes, maintenance, warranty and the like. The planning sheetsare broken down to achievable phases of the project then to thecomponents and tasks that need to be selected then worked on orinstalled. A budget may be attached to the components (e.g. labor andmaterials), and a schedule is created so the tasks flow through theproject as referenced by the planning sheets.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the planning sheets 702 may bedivided into at least three sections. For example, Section 1 (712 a) mayinclude the front-end project planning data. The front-end projectplanning data may include plan sections 704 related to Land use/Zoning,infrastructure, architecture, landscape and the like. Section 2 (712 b)represents the plan, design and build phases of a construction project.The plan sections 704 include systems and schematics, site prep andgrading and interior finishes, for example. Section 3 (712 c) representsthe post construction section of the planning sheets. The plan sections704 in the post construction section include, for example, maintenanceand upkeep, warranty facilitation.

The plan sections 704 may be further divided into classes/categories andsubclasses/subcategories that account for particular aspects of thephase or aspect of the construction, such as materials, products,systems and processes that fall into each phase. For example, FIG. 8Cshows a representative plan section 704 for a particular project, suchas Building Structure Shell and Core. The plan section 704 indicatesclassifications 804, including for example, Floor systems 804 a and WallSystems 804 b, which includes a subclass for Exterior Walls 806 a andInterior Walls 806 b. Exterior Walls 806 a, for example, has sub-classesfor Concrete 808 a, Masonry 808 b, Steel 808 c and Wood 808 d. Thesub-classes may have further sub-subclasses, such as CIF's 808 a andPour-in-place 808 b.

The plan sections 704 may be individually searchable among eachclassification and sub classification by all User Groups. As shown inFIG. 8C, the information stored in the plan section 704 may berepresented as a tree with branches 810 that store all of the pertinentinformation searchable within the particular plan section 704. Forexample, for a particular classification, the plan section 704 may storedata and information related to professional services needed or desired,building code information, if appropriate, best practice tips to sharewith the build team or others, availability of equipment and tools thatmay be required, and public and governmental resource information, ifneeded. Any particular plan section 704 may include other branches ofinformation if the project or classification so requires.

In one embodiment, once a planning sheet 702 and product category isselected, the Design center 408 may compile a list of products withassociated information. If the User chooses, filters may be used tonarrow product selections in view of previously designated preferences.In one embodiment, the User may preview all of the products, sort them,compare them and save them for later access. As shown in FIG. 12B,details 1202 regarding a particular product may be selected for viewing.The details may include, for example, an overview, specifications, userreviews, additional photos, video, certifications, and a list of itemsrelated to the product.

In one example, in a plan section 704, a classification 804 b related toWall Systems for Exterior Walls 806 a may have a sub-classification formaterials, which may include concrete 808 a, masonry 808 b, steel 808 c,and wood 808 d. Thus, the search tree 810 may include wall designs andproducts available for building a particular wall type, a list ofprofessionals that may provide the materials for the walls, buildingcodes for building the various types of walls, equipment and equipmentproviders, best practices for building walls and various resourcesavailable for making sure that the wall is environmentally friendly, forexample.

Referring again to FIG. 7 , the User maybe inspired by images andsuggestions that are made available for selection via the action modulesor databases including the Consultation package 404, the Inspirationgallery 406, the Design center 408 and the Scrapbook 410. The selectionsmade using these modules populate the appropriate plan section 704 inthe planning sheets 702.

In one embodiment, informational segments 706 may be provided, whichprovide all types of information that may be useful to Professionals,Owners and Developers for making selections regarding materials,products, systems, contractors, subcontractors and the like. TheInformational components may be updated periodically as new and usefulinformation becomes available. The information provided may be accessedby any User of the building system and may stand alone as a separatedatabase of information. The Informational components include, but arenot limited to:

Building Classifieds—a networking component for Users to list buildingrelated materials, services, projects and the like for sale or use toother Users.

Green Info—the latest and most straight-forward information about Greenproducts and services, for example, design samples and installationschematics, building practices, products, systems, what works and whatdoes not work and the like as well as rebates and incentives for Usersto consume at retailers and wholesalers in a particular geographicregion.

Find & List Professional Services—a directory of professionals fromaround the world, including Architects, Engineers, Designers, Builders,Installers and the like in a particular geographic region.

Thus, the technical features of the computer-implemented process forgenerating a planning document should be understood to includemechanisms configured to receive an input from a first user thatincludes user selections relating to a project type; generate planningsheets related to the project type and populate segments of the planningsheets with a first set of data categorized based on the first userselections; grant access to the planning sheets to a second user andallow the second user to modify at least a portion of the first set ofdata to create a second set of data in the segments of the planningsheets; and grant access to the planning sheets to a third user andallow the third user to journal the actions to be taken in implementinga project based on at least portions of the first and second sets ofdata in the planning sheets. A further feature of the present computerimplemented process is provisions for allowing the first user, thesecond user, and the third user from three remote locations to interact.In one example, the first user and the third user are from two differentstates. In other example, the first user and the second user are fromtwo different continents. In yet another example, the second user andthe third user are from different states or from different countries. Instill yet another example, the first user and the second user are fromdifferent countries.

It may be noted that the vast amount of information and the number ofselectable choices may overwhelm the User of the building system 200.Thus, the building system 200 includes a filtering mechanism 710 thatprovides a means for the User to narrow or limit his or her choicesbased on the specific project criteria and other information as well asselections made from, for example, the inspiration gallery and designcenter provided by the User. The number and types of filters can varydepending on the project type. In one embodiment related to the buildingconstruction project, the filters may include project scope filter,climate zone filter, architectural style filter, systems filter,foundation/flooring filter, foundation filter, color filter, materialfilters and the like.

As previously mentioned and as shown in FIG. 9A, data and information1502 come into the building system and are passed through data filter1504 to organize, aggregate and deliver the data and information intovarious action modules and databases of the system. The filter 710 acauses the information and data 902 to be reduced and segregated intoappropriate plan sections 704. The segregated information and data 902are saved and organized into appropriate classes and subclasses in theplanning sheets 702. In one embodiment, the filter 710 a receives allthe information and data 902 including design parameters, selections andother guidelines provided or selected by the User in the Consultationpackage 404, the Inspiration gallery 406, the Design center 408, theScrapbook 410 and from the information providers 412. The filter 710 athen organizes and codes the information and data into actual plansections 704 of the planning sheets 702. The information and data 902are selected via filter 710 a based on User selections made, forexample, in the initial consultation. FIG. 10 illustrates an example ofa user interface 1002 for the consultation used to prompt the User fordesired guidelines and parameters. In this example, the informationselected in the consultation engages filter 710 a to distribute onlyreal or related information and data through the filter 710 a. In oneexample, if a User enters a guideline suggesting that all floors in theProject are to be made of wood, then the filter 710 a ensures that allinformation and data regarding marble floors and carpeting issubsequently excluded and that only data and information related to woodfloors enters and is organized into the planning sheets. It should beunderstood that the consultation may be later customized or modified andupdated at any time during the construction project. Accordingly, thefilter 710 a is configured to update the data and information in theplanning sheets to correspond to the updated data and information.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, in one embodiment, a second filter 710 b isprovided that takes the segregated information and data 902 and furthernarrows the information data into specific primary selections for aparticular project. In one embodiment, the second filter 710 b mayarrive at the narrowed selections by for example, actual user selectionsmade, further questioning of the User regarding specific choices andtheir compatibility, desirability and usability with other choicesand/or the overall Vision of the project. The primary selections arestored in the primary results portion 910 of the planning sheets 702.

Referring again to FIG. 7 , once the primary results portion 910 of theplanning sheets has been filled with the primary selections, the usermay choose to revisit various selections and make changes ormodifications. However, at this stage, the filtering mechanism 710 b hasnarrowed the information and data to a comprehensible selection ofproducts, photos and options. The information in the planning sheets isnow ready via further refinements through filter 710 c made because ofthe interactive collaboration with other users (FIG. 9B) for use in theVision Album, Project Guide and Project Journal as described below.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the building system 200 uses the informationsaved and stored in the planning sheets 702 to guide the Owner 202 todevelop the Vision album 208. The Design team 204 uses the Vision album208 in collaboration with the Owner 202 to further refine via filters705 and modify the information and data in the plan sections 704 todevelop the Project guide 210. The Project guide 210 is then provided tothe Build team 206, which ultimately bids and constructs the projectbased on the ideas and plans set forth in the Project guide 210 inspiredby the Vision album 208. The Build team 206 creates the Project journal212 that incorporates all the actions taken and other final informationand data associated with the Project. In combination, the Vision album208, the Project guide 210 and the Project Journal 212 are combined toform the Project portfolio 214—a Users Guide for the Owner 202 andsubsequent owners and managers.

Thus, the technical features of the computer-implemented process forgenerating a project planning document may include mechanisms forpresenting queries prompting responses relating to a project type, theresponses provided by a first user in generating a first set of data;filtering the first set of data and populating segments of a planningsheet with the filtered first set of data based on project preferencesdefined in the responses to the queries, the filtered first set of dataincluded in a planning guide; modifying the first set of data in theplanning guide in response to interactive and collaborative queries madebetween the first user and a second user to create a project guidehaving a second set of data; and recording progress of an implementationby a third user of the project guide to create a project journal. Theproject journal may include actions to be taken in implementing aproject based on at least portions of the first and second sets of datain the planning sheets. In a still further example, the project journalcontains schedules, projects tasks, contact information, manufacturerinformation, and pictures. In one example, the second set of datacontains less than 90% of the data from the first set of data. Inanother example, the second set of data contains less than 50% of thedata from the first set of data. The change in the second set of datafrom the first set of data is due, at least in part, by thecollaborative interaction between the first user and the second user,which includes any other person, group or party who is invited tocomment on, share ideas and information on the project, in some cases,the second user is located in a different geographic location, such as adifferent state from the first user. In another embodiment, the seconduser is located in a different country from the first user. In yetanother embodiment, the second user is located in a different continentfrom the first user. However, the first user and the second user canalways be located in close proximity to one another. The system has theability to permit access by users or members that are in close proximityto one another or at remote locations from one another.

Advantageously, since all work is recorded and stored in the planningsheets and subsequently output in the reports or guides, lostinformation, miscommunications and misunderstandings may be reduced oreliminated between User Groups. During each phase, the planning systemmay be configured so that only one User Group has the ability to recordfinal data into the planning sheets. However, all of the members of aUser Group have the ability to access the Project and input data intothe planning sheets. When there is consensus between required membersthen the lead User of that phase enters the final data, (theowner/developer) into the Vision album 208, the Design team 204 into theProject guide 210 or the Build team 206 into the Project journal 206. Inanother example, different member combinations can edit and record data.

The planning process developed through the building system 200 providesthe advantage of allowing complete collaboration by various Users fromanywhere in the world with access to the www. Thus, if the Owner 202wishes to make a change at any time during the Project then the changecan be updated into the appropriate output guide. In light of theavailability of mobile phones or handheld computers with internet accesscapability, changes may be made or acknowledged almost instantaneously.For example, if the change is made during the design phase then thechange is noted by the Design team 204 as part of the Project guide 210.If the change occurs during the construction phase then it is journaledby the Build team 206 and shows up in the completed Project portfolio214. Thus, the planning system allows for project collaboration betweenthe entities involved in the building process. The project collaborationresults in a project that transforms from a first state to a secondstate or to a third state and wherein the second state and the thirdstate differ from the first state by at least 10% or more. By differentin state, it is understood to mean different in concept, design, orimplementation that would require at least 10% or more man-hours tomodify from the first state.

FIG. 14A is a graphical representation of the project collaborationbetween the various users of the planning system 1400 (used as thebuilding system) using the project planning sheets 1402 as the frameworkthat permeates through the entire planning process as described above.The graph in FIG. 14A is intended to highlight the interactive andcollaborative capability that the building system 200 is able to providewhile a project is being developed. Since all inputs, changes, andmodifications are recorded and stored in the planning sheets 1402, theOwner/developer 1406 (Owner 1406) is able to interact with the planningsheets 1402 to develop the Vision Album/Planning Guide 1404. As shown inthe graph, advantageously, throughout the planning process, the Owner1406 may be able to interact and transact business with others who arefiguratively in-the-loop as they are able to be kept abreast of theproject planning. The Owner 1406 may be able to interact with ServiceSector providers 1408 while development of the planning guide isunderway. The Service Sector providers 1408, which may include insurancebrokers, bankers, appraisers and the like, may be granted access to theplanning sheets 1402 so that while a project is being developed, theseproviders are privy to the actual progress being made on a project. Thisinformation helps the Service Sector providers provide their services tothe Owner 1406 in a timely and effective manner. For example, the Ownermay be contemplating building a two-story building. The Owner'sselections as they relate to the proposed building and stored in theplanning sheets may be accessed by an insurance broker who may reviewthe Owner's actual selections (e.g. square footage, masonry building,fireproof materials used) to provide an accurate quote based thereon.Subsequently, the Owner may change the plan to include only a singlestory building. The insurance broker may be notified of this change viaemail, text or other alert and may again access the planning sheets todetermine how the project has been modified so as to provide an updatedquote to the Owner.

Next, the design team 1410, which may include, for example, landplanners, engineers, architects and the like, has a communication linkto the Owner 1406 as well as a link through the planning sheets 1402.This interactive collaboration between the Owner 1406 and the Designteam 1410 directly and via the planning sheets 1402 leads to thedevelopment of the Project guide 1412. However, as the graphillustrates, the Design team 1410 may also have a communication link tothe Service Sector providers, who also maintain a link to the planningsheets 1402 and the Owner 1406. These links allow for continuouscollaboration between the groups so that all are aware of the continuingprogress of the project. In this way, each group can provide theirrespective services using the latest information available. In oneexample, the Design team 1410 may have a communication link to outsideagencies 1414 that may be used to review a project for compliance withlocal ordinances and the like while the Design team is preparingspecifications and plans. The outside agencies are also granted accessto the planning sheets 1402, so that the agency is able to view theproject plan directly. In another example, the system sends electronicmessages 1433, such as texts, emails and the like to one or more membersof the outside agencies, design team members, and providers to log intothe planning sheets and project guides to provide input. The electronicmessages 1433 may be self-triggered based on predetermined criteria ortriggered by any one of the members and users.

The Design team 1410 communicates directly with the Build team 1416 torelay the project guide 1412 to the Build team so that implementation ofthe project may commence. The Build team 1416 has access to the planningsheets 1402 and maintains a direct communication link with the Owner1406 and the outside agency reviewers. The Build team records theiractions taken to implement the project, which are maintained in theProject journal 1418. Again, each group is kept in-the-loop via theplanning sheets 1402 and other direct communication links so that as theproject progresses, each component of the group can maintain an updatedoutlook and provide updated services as needed. For example, the Buildteam may require a change due to an unforeseen circumstance in thebuilding plan. The remainder of the groups would be alerted of thechange. Each group could access the planning sheets, review the changeand take appropriate actions if required.

Finally, all of the information compiled in the planning guide 1404, theproject guide 1412, and the project journal 1418 are assembled orrecorded into the Building Manual 1420. The Building manual 1420 maythen be accessed by the Owner 1406 or by a building/property manager1422 that now has access to all information related to the building thathas been compiled from the beginning to the end of the project. Thus, ifthe manager needs to coordinate for example, repair of the HVAC systemin the building, he can access the Building manual 1420 and determinewhich sub-contractor installed the original HVAC system and is then ableto determine if the HVAC system is still under warranty.

FIG. 14B is a graphical illustration of the overall components of theplanning system 1400 in accordance with an embodiment. In the data andinformation aggregation and distribution phase, the data and informationenters the system via data filter 1504 of graph 1500. The data is thenaccessible by a user who can use actions modules, such as theinspiration gallery 1436 and the scrapbook 1438 to review the data andinformation. As previously described, once the User enters the site viathe planning kit 1440, the User is given the opportunity to enterproject specific data and make decisions that engage filters thatcontrol the flow of data through the site to populate the planningsheets 1442. The filters are engaged by selecting building type, forexample, Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Multifamily, Live/Work,Midrise or Highrise and the like. The User also may be asked to select aproject location through a map or zip code that may specify climatetype, an architectural style if desired, and the like. Each of thesedecisions engages the filters that allow the system to select, sort anddeliver the photos, materials, products, systems and services that suittheir specific needs. Thus, the user will not be shown the entiredatabase, but rather those parts that the user not only may need to seebut also should see, since the planning system does not just deliverchoices but also suggests them.

The building system 1400 provides, for example, Architects, Builders,Contractors, Developers and Engineers (collectively, the Professionals)with project pre-planning and proper-planning options by allowing theProfessionals to select and purchase competitively priced buildingproducts using the Bid Room 1424 through all phases of the constructionproject including selection, purchase and delivery of these products,thus enabling the Professionals to spend less time to complete theirprojects and for less money.

The building system 1400 provides visual tools and easy to understandinstructions so that Professionals, as well as project owners anddevelopers, may purchase environmentally friendly (Green) products,services and systems. Users may be offered user discounts, rebates, andother incentives and benefits from product, service and system providers1500 (see FIG. 15A) using professional showcase 1426, network listings1428, service listings 1430 and manufacturers showrooms 1432, forexample. These tools may be provided on-line via the www. Thus, sincethe tools are available on-line, construction projects may be planned bythe Professionals located in one country while the construction occursin another country.

Beneficially, in one embodiment, Users of the building system areprovided the ability to print out or email preformatted purchase ordersand project specification sheets for reference, pricing anddocumentation to show to other project team members. The system alsooffers the ability to order product samples or the User can visit aproduct selection site where they can touch and feel the items beingconsidered. The completed project data in the completed ProjectPortfolio can be stored on site, stored on CD or printed in book orbinder form, then retrieved later for maintenance or upgrades or futurerenovations as well as advertising and/or selling, for example, thequality, the efficiency or even the greenness of a home/building. Theplanning system may also include company sponsored product andinformation centers where users can get assistance with or be allowed tosee and or feel products and discuss services.

The planning system 1400 provides for ordering tools 1434 which allowfor the renting or buying of equipment and or tools and for theprocuring, packaging and shipping out of finish packages, for example,using preformatted purchase orders, such as electrical finish, plumbingfinish, appliances and the like, to the job site for subcontractorinstallation. This process can be done on-line, thus eliminating theneed for physically driving to a store or warehouse. Thus, a User canaccess virtual storefronts 1434 that represent eCommerce sites, retailoutlets and wholesale distribution centers. Groups of Users may be ableto form Co-ops in order to make bulk purchases of products and services.

As shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C, a cost/time/quality filter 1450 may beimplemented as part of the project planning system. Typically, thefilter 1450 is applied as the user is setting guidelines for theproject, for example, during the consultation. However, this filter maybe subsequently engaged. The filter allows at least three criteria,cost, time and quality, to be addressed by the user. In one embodiment,the user may select to require various degrees or quantities of eachcriterion alone or in combination. For example, the criteria may bepresented on a scale of importance or priority, such as on a scale of 1to 5 or the user may be able to just make a selection of the rangeprovided. Thus, if the user determines that cost is no issue to theproject than products and services of all cost ranges (high, moderateand low) may be provided. However, if time is an issue and the userspecifies that a rush job is needed, then the cost and qualitycomponents of the filter may be affected since not all cost ranges andquality ranges of products and services may be accommodated for a rushjob. Thus, product and services that are in the lower ranges of cost andlower ranges of quality may be provided for selection by the user, sincethese may be done relatively quickly. In another example, if qualitymust be high, then the cost component filter is affected as is the timecomponent filter, since a high quality job may typically not be rushedor done for low cost. Thus, product and services that are in the higherranges of cost and done in no rush may be provided for selection by theuser.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating one operational example of how thebuilding system application may be used in accordance with oneembodiment, however, this example is not meant to limit the scope of theplanning system in any manner. In this particular example, a homeowner/developer (owner) accesses the building system 200 because theowner is interested in having a custom home built for his family. Theowner begins by registering into the system and providing informationinto the planning kit or the consultation package provided by thesystem. The consultation package inquires whether the owner is aProperty Owner or Professional, about the purpose of the visit, andother demographic information. The owner may choose to “Create AProject”, where the system delivers an initial consultationquestionnaire so the owner may further define the project. Next, theowner may input or select “Residential” and “Single Family”, may inputZip Code or a City name, and may further select a Climate Zone, forexample, Marine Mediterranean Climate Zone.

The building system delivers a default set of planning sheets to theowner for the requested building type and climate zone. The system makesadditional requests or prompts that are appropriate to the specificproject identified by the owner. The owner continues to refine theprocess, and continues to input, for example, the numbers of rooms andbaths, kitchen features, laundry features, garage features, detached“mother-in-law” room features, square footage desired, lot size,building features, architectural features, colors, wall systems, roofsystems, special requirements and the like. The owner may be deliveredadditional information regarding completed projects in their area, theprofessionals who worked on them and the products they used in theirprojects.

The building system employs the various system filters to narrow theselections to a manageable and related number, thus eliminatinginformation unrelated to the owner's preferences. The filters mayinclude, for example, Architectural Style for Exterior and Interior, thetype of Sustainability Filter, where User may select Solar Hot WaterHeating and Structural Insulated Panel System. The building systemfurther itemizes the owner's selections of Wall System Filter, RoofSystem filter, Room and Space Filter. The owner may not only specify thenumber of rooms but also how the rooms are to be designed by the“Room/Space Relationship Filter” where the owner may decide, forexample, where the bedroom is to be placed relative to the bathroom, howclose the kitchen is to be placed relative to the family room, and howfar the master bedroom is to be place relative to the kid's bedroom orguest room. The building system may also provide a Feature Filter forselecting fireplaces and built-in entertainment centers and an AmenitiesFilter for selecting additional features, such as built-in ironingboards in the laundry room.

The owner at anytime during the planning of the project may search forproducts and services. The building system guides the owner through theprocess and provides additional information to assist the owner inmaking decisions in the project creation process. The building systemmay provide access to products and service based on owner's selectionsentered into the building system thus far. The building system mayprovide a Cost/Time/Quality filter (FIG. 14C) used to bring products andservices to the owner that come closest to the owner's specifiedcriteria regarding how much the owner desires to pay, how much time theowner has to build and what quality the owner desires, or somecombination of the three criterion.

The building system uses brings design ideas, related products andsystems, service professionals to the attention of the owner. The ownerselects various images and products from the inspiration gallery ormarketplace that develop the look and feel of the project. The owneralso selects various links to outside information providers and vendorswho provide showcases and the like of their respective products andservices. For example, the owner visits the inspiration gallery andfinds some exterior photos that show the look that the owner wants tocapture in his home. The owner also finds some interior views with adesired layout for the kitchen, the finishes for the master bedroom, andamenities for the family room. The images selected by the owner link toa variety of data including the products used, the names of theprofessionals who did the work, and the cost of the project, forexample. In another example, from the images, the owner is able to“click” on a roofing product that the owner would like to use. Theproject shown is located in the area and links to an architect and aroofer. The owner opens the professional showcases link from thisproject, learns more about the contractors and decides to save the imageand the links to the contractors in the vision album. The owner alsoaccesses the product marketplace and makes selections for doors, windowsand light fixtures. Because of the filtering process based on theowner's initial inputs, the products provided for selection are justwhat the owner is looking for to use on the project. The owner continuesto peruse the professional showcases and seeks feedback form the systemabout certain contractors. The owner is happy with his selections andsaves them to the vision album.

Since the building system has a social/business network component, theowner provides access to the vision album via the planning sheets to hisimmediate family. The owner also sends a link to a sister-in-law who isa designer living in another state and to a brother who works for anarchitect and lives close by to the owner.

The people with whom the user shares the project may go into thebuilding system and view the vision album. They each make somerecommendations. For example, the sister-in-law searches the productsdirectory in the marketplace and finds an affordable brand of hardwoodflooring and paint colors that she feels would go well with the project.The brother lets the owner know that his firm has used a metal roofingthat is a fraction of the weight and costs less than the roof that theowner had selected. The owner's children ask for built in work areas intheir bedrooms and a larger shower in the shared bathroom. All of therecommendations are saved to the recommendations section of the visionalbum for later review by the owner.

The owner makes changes and updates to the vision album based on some ofthe recommendations as well as some additional selections that the ownermade after seeing the home of a close friend.

The owner has decided that enough upfront planning has been done. Theowner may now finalize the project selections for the time being andsubmit the project. The system delivers the set of planning sheets witha vision album template where the work is organized and stored.

The owner is ready to hire an architect. The owner has selected twoarchitects and already stored their information in the vision album. Theowner contacts both architects and posts the project into the systembid/inquiry room (FIG. 14B) to see if any others are interested in theproject. The owner sets a due date for initial contact at 15 days outand requests for bid submittal at 30 days after initial contact. The bidroom posting results in two additional architects expressing an interestin the project. The user opens the showcases of each architect anddetermines that one of them would be a good fit, the other seems tooexpensive and is not a local business. With three architects now in therunning, the owner accesses preformatted forms from the building systemincluding a formal Request for Proposal (RFP). The owner may checksboxes on the RFP that identify certain conditions of the agreement. Eachof the three architects is given access to the vision album. Duringnegotiations, each of the three applicants is able to makerecommendations and further requests for data. The owner reviews therequests and posts updates on the building system, which notifies theapplicants of the change. Each applicant makes a proposal based on thesame updated information. The owner selects the architect who hascreated the best budget and schedule for the work to be performed. Theowner accesses forms on the system that may be used to complete thecontracting process. The architect has additional form requirements thathe uploads into the building system that may then become part of thecontract documents of the owner's building system.

The owner assigns the completed vision album to the design team, whichincludes the selected architect. The architect continues to access thevision album and planning sheets, which include a list of tasks, andcomponents that need to be selected. The architect reviews the work thatis already stored in the vision album. The architect notes that theowner requested use of SIPS and is interested in having solar hot waterheaters. The architect has not used SIPS on any of his projects beforeso he posts an inquiry in the System Bid/Inquiry room to find out whateffect SIPS may have on the cost and viability of the project. A generalcontractor, a framing contractor and a SIPS Manufacture respond to theinquiry. The architect is told that installation of SIPS is 70% fasterthan conventional framing methods, which reduces labor costs and speedsup the rough-in phase of the project. The materials cost about 15% morebut offer superior insulating qualities so there is an attainablepayback. The architect notifies the owner of his findings and continueswith the design/specification process. Each of the components and tasksidentified in the planning sheets needs to be addressed before theprocess is complete. The owner and the design team know that morecollaboration now between the two users reduces the chance for costoverruns and increases the possibility that the project is successful.

As the design phase progresses, the architect give each of his peers andother consultants access to the project planning sheets. The structuralengineer recommends an alternative roof truss that costs less than thetruss system already being considered. The owner continues his researchusing the building system and finds schematics on passive efficiency andsustainable methods. The owner notifies the architect via the systememail that he would like to incorporate natural day-lighting and naturalventilation into the plan. The architect designs skylights for theappropriate areas and includes awning and transom windows into the planto achieve a ventilating stack effect. The architect also recommends anair filtration system and water saving devices that his teamrecommended. The architect collaborates with the entire design team andthe owner until the choices are fully vetted and everyone on the team ispleased with the design and functionality that have been specifiedduring the process. The planning guide is completed with all buildingsystems, products and finishes having now been selected.

With a completed planning guide, the owner is ready to hire a builder.The owner has continued to search through the inspiration gallery andthe professional directory and has found several builders who specializein his project type. The owner and the design time consult. Thearchitect has used one of the builders in the past with good success.The owner decides to put the project into the bid room using a semiprivate mode and gives access to three builders now under consideration.The builders are asked to provide a fixed bid and schedule. The buildershaving accessed the planning sheets know exactly what the projectentails. The bid process is done systematically and efficiently throughthe bid room since all of the details are readily available to thebuilders. Each builder has the ability to post questions or concerns tothe owner and the design team. The updates to the project are posted inthe Bid Room so that the participants are working with aggregatedup-to-date information. A builder is selected, the sealed project guideis transferred to him and construction begins. The builder is nowresponsible to schedule the work, document the process and insurequality workmanship and installation. The build team has a substantiallycomplete set of specifications that are linked to the products to beused. The products are linked to preformatted work orders andinstructions where the products may be purchased in the local area. Someof the vendors are part of the building system co-op group thatrecognizes and gives valuable discounts to building system members.Tools are available to the builder and subcontractors that guide them inexecuting their processes.

The builder uses the Bid Room to process his subcontractor, specialtycontractor and materials bids. Each person or entity participating inthe bid room process is granted access to the building system. Thebuilding system includes forms, including preformatted purchase orders,requests for information, requests for bids, requests for payments, lienreleases and the like that are automatically tied to the project and mayinclude preloaded information. Contractor invoices for work done, permitapproval process, payments made, payments due and balance of contractmay be tracked by the building system to maintain accountability betweenall parties. All of the sub- and specialty contractors are given accessto the project planning sheets, which uses a budget and schedulecomponent.

The builder tracks the work and actions taken in the building system anddocuments information that serves the owner or the owner's manager ormaintenance team, where appropriate, for the life of the building in theproject journal. If the building system is used to purchase theproducts, the building system automatically documents product data. Ifnot, then the builder is asked to input manufacture,recommended/suggested and mandatory maintenance products and schedule,warranty information, product registration confirmations and contactpersons who are able to do the work when needed. Product warranty andmaintenance information may be recorded or uploaded into the projectjournal.

Once the project is finished each of the vision album, the planningguide, and the project journal may be assembled together in a finalproject portfolio/manual and presented to the owner. The owner ispleased to have a project manual that lives with the project. Forexample, the maintenance records are digitally monitored and documented.Each time a work order is generated, the owner is able to access therequired information including product data, recommended cleaningproducts, scheduled cleaning and coating processes, and the people whodo the work in the local area. The building system notifies the owner byway of electronic system email when a maintenance event is scheduled tooccur. The building function is maintained and product life is extendeddue to proper care. When the owner decides to sell the house, the newbuyer may be given the project manual to have a clear understanding ofthe entire property and the professionals involved with its creation.

The embodiments described above provide an implementation of theplanning system as a building system that applies to the ProjectPlanning/Designing/Building Construction industry. However, thedescription set forth below illustrates the technical features and thesteps for using the planning system in connection with other embodimentsand other applications. For example, the technical features of theplanning system may be applicable as a project system in the travelindustry, the real estate industry, the educational industry, and otherservice related industries, including governmental agencies such aszoning and planning commissions, employment placement agencies andhealth care and social service agencies.

Generally, customers or consumers of most services are provided withlists of products, options, available information, tips, resources,vendors and the like that the customer or consumer might use to makeselections regarding the particular service. The selection process andcomplexity associated with managing the selection process is increaseddue to the large number of options that may be made available to theconsumer. Typically, a large number of selections may need to be trackedin order to preserve the consumer's general desires. Even thoughconsumers may be inundated with large amounts of information, optionsand the like, the consumer still may not receive sufficient informationor other data that is actually related to his or her specific desires,wants and needs. In some instances, the consumer may not even be awarethat certain options even exist.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a planning system implemented as theproject system 1600 including a process that allows a user to create acustom project in accordance with an embodiment. As used herein, acustom project may be understood to include any planned undertaking, forexample, without limitation, traveling, developing an educationalsyllabus, purchasing or selling real estate, college planning,retirement planning, career planning, community planning and any otherundertaking that may require the need for at least one ofconceptualizing, scheduling, refining, adjusting, modifying, testing andimplementing, and any project where multiple participants or groups areor could work together for better project outcomes. As further discussedbelow, by using the process provided in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure, users are able to design, plan, and manage theircustom project, for example, on-line from almost any internet connectionin the world, via telephone or any other similar means of communication.The process takes input from the user and organizes it for various othergroups to review, comment, suggest alternatives and refine theinformation. In one embodiment, various database modules, includingphotos and other media are provided to suggest alternatives for userselected refinements. In addition, based on selections made by the userof certain information, the user is offered additional information,options and choices, which lead the user to the final product.

The project system 1600 allows each user group to generate guides,albums or portfolios that are created to facilitate the progression of auser's project from concept, through design and planning to finalimplementation and maintain and manage the product or project in aninteractive, collaborative and innovative process. The guides mayconstitute a physical compilation of data, storage cd or print versionsor alternatively, the guides may be a virtual (electronic) compilationof data. The guides may be used individually or in conjunction with eachother. The guides represent the Output created by the interaction andcollaboration of each group within the project system 1600.

As shown in FIG. 16 , a project system 1600 divides the conceptualizing,planning and implementation of most any project into various phases. Inone embodiment, the phases may include a user or user group 1602, aprovider or provider group 1604 and a facilitator or facilitator group1606 that perform the functions to be achieved during a particular phaseof the planning process. As described below, each of the groups hascertain needs, skill sets and responsibilities in the planning process,as well as responsibilities and obligations to the other groups.Although, each group is described as having certain individualresponsibilities and functions during certain phases, some functions andresponsibilities may overlap.

The user or user group 1602 includes an individual, a client, aconsumer, a customer, a project leader, a professional planner and thelike, that typically initiates the want or need for the project. Theuser may set the initial parameters and guidelines used to describe theoverall concept of the project. In one embodiment, the user may beginthe process of creating a vision for a project by hiring a consultant,using a friend or family member or other third party to do the initialcreation of the project vision. Afterward the user may critique andfine-tune the vision until satisfied. The needs, wants, parameters andguidelines of the user 1602 are compiled in a first portfolio 1608. Thefirst portfolio 1608, which may also be referred to as a vision guide orvision album 1608, is initially created by the user 1602 during theconcept phase of the project. In one embodiment, the user may interactwith various interactive modules, which provide conceptual designelements to the user, to input, select from, and clarify the user'sconceptual design elements so that the project may benefit fromfeedback, suggestions, and ideas provided by yet other interactivemodules. The interactive modules provide a set of consultations that areused to inform the initial user of possibilities and options within therange of interests that the user has decided to explore.

In one embodiment, the interactive modules allow for a social aspect ofcollaboration and comment on a project, for example, by allowingalternative choices to be made, offered or suggested between friends,employees, colleagues and family members who might have an interest orhave been invited to participate in the conception of a project. Forexample, a user may be using the project system to create a travel plan.The user accesses the interactive modules and interactively makesselections that outline the general wants and needs for his trip. Otherswho have been invited to participate in this phase of the planning maygather additional data from the system or upload various photos of theirtrips and vacations or other information about locations and traveltips. The user may then interactively view these suggested alternativesto change, modify, or refine his own selections.

In one embodiment, the user 1602 communicates its needs, wants,parameters, and guidelines to the provider group 1604 via the visionalbum. Communications between the user group and the provider group mayinclude links to different databases and links to provider accountsprovided on a website, and/or links between a computer and othercommunication devices, such as cell phones and fax machines.

The provider group 1604 may include one or many professionals or otherswho possess the expertise or information, including databases ofinformation, who may be hired by the user group, or at least madeavailable to the user group as a resource, to design and create thesecond portfolio or project guide 1610. The project guide 1610 iscreated by the provider group 1604 upon review of the selections madeand set forth in the vision album 1608 by the user group 1602. Thus, theproject guide is user defined project parameters that have been refinedthrough communication and collaboration with one or more providers basedon, at least in part, the experience and the expertise of the one ormore providers.

The second portfolio 1610 may also be created using a system of queriesor consultations and filters, described below, that are used tofine-tune a project to ultimately ensure that the project continues toinform the user group and reflect the needs, wants and desires of theuser group 1602. Like the user group, the provider group may interactwith various interactive modules, which indicate to them the conceptualdesign elements that the user group has selected. The provider groupthen uses all the parameters, guidelines and initial selections for theproject to make additional queries of the user group to further refine,optimize and possibly expand the parameters.

In addition to queries, the user group may be offered unsolicitedinformation from the provider group. For example, certain selectionsmade by the user group in creating the vision album may prompt theprovider group to offer information that is related for furtherconsideration by the user group. Certain targeted queries made by theprovider group, in conjunction with the additional unsolicitedinformation may cause the parameters and guidelines that were initiallyused to create the vision album to change. Thus, the user group isallowed to interactively, along with the provider group, change ormodify the vision album at anytime during the query phase of planning.However, while the project has been refined, the fundamental desires,wants and needs of the user group are maintained due to the involvementof the user group in the collaboration.

The provider group 1604 communicates and collaborates with the usergroup 1602 to refine on an iterative basis and make the selections madeduring the query phase of the project system final. The final selectionsare then incorporated into the project guide 1610 upon approval from theuser group.

The facilitator or facilitator group 1606 may include one or manyprofessionals or others with the appropriate skills that may be hired ormade available to cause the project to be implemented in the mannerrequested by the user group and as designed by the provider group 1604.The method or rules of implementation may be compiled in a thirdportfolio 1612 or project journal 1612 and used to track the processesand progress of the project. The facilitator group 1606 is responsibleto provide to the user group 1602 a quality completed project thatreflects the user group's vision, needs, wants and desires for theproject. In some embodiments, the provider group 1604 and thefacilitator group 1606 may be the same professional or group ofprofessionals depending on the type of project involved.

The final output of the project system 1600 is a completed projectportfolio 1614. The completed project portfolio 1614 includesinformation that has been generated from the vision album 1608, theproject guide 1610 and the project journal 1612, as well as any otherinformation related or used in the planning process that may assist withthe future success including maintaining, managing and performing theproject. The completed project portfolio acts as a user's guide, or areference book to the project. The completed project portfolio isdesigned to stay with the project, from user to user of that projectwhere appropriate or with the original user as a record of the projectplan.

The interactive modules previously mentioned may work as independentmodules to allow the user group to design, plan, track and build his orher own customized project. When used to create a project, theinteractive modules help to limit the information pertinent to thechoices made by the user group in order to drive the selection processto creation of a final vision or concept. The interactive modules mayalso include their own set of tools and features, as further discussedbelow.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a process 1700 for the projectsystem 1600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.In step s1702, the process begins with the user making a general queryregarding his or her project. The user also provides informationregarding the concept or vision for the project, which may includeproject criteria and guideline information. The information may beentered into project system 1600 using any well known user interfaces,such as the following non-limiting examples: a graphical user interfacevia fillable forms, selectable lists or images, prompts, icons, and aninteractive interview process.

The project system receives the initial query and provides aconsultation, which may be in the form of specifically targetedrequests, intelligent checklists, responses to questionnaires,selections from drop down or popup menus and similar forms of query, todevelop the vision album. In one embodiment, the consultation providedto the user is in the form of a preformatted outline that is designed toconsider possibilities related or specific to the undertaking that theuser is pursuing. The possibilities are generally in the form of optionsthat once selected start the process of formulating a path for creatingthe vision album. In some cases, the user may be given the choice toprioritize, for example, A, B, then C. By engaging in this process theuser is able to set and establish project guidelines and parameters. Theproject guidelines and parameters, in turn, set the boundaries forfilters used within the system as described below. In some cases, byselecting one option the system may in turn eliminate or include others.

Initially, the information provided by the user regarding the project isreceived into the project system 1600 via the planning sheets. Theplanning sheets are created and populated by the project system toorganize data for retrieval and storage by the user (s1704). Theplanning sheets also provide a means to classify the parameters,products and processes generated by the user group and provider group.The planning sheets may include the information, broken down orseparated into phases or sections related to certain choices made duringthe planning process. In one embodiment, the sections may be filledusing, for example, the intelligent checklist provided to the userduring the initial consultation. In this embodiment, the checklistallows the user to enter the project criteria and parameters andguidelines. The selections may be further divided and organized intosets of classes and subclasses for further categorization of theinformation. As described below, the planning sheets provide a means forconveying the project information through the concept, the query and theplan phases of the project system as the information is compiled andgenerated for access by all of the groups as the need arises. In theplanning sheets, products, services, systems and the like arecategorized and may be selected using a systematic approach. In oneembodiment, the planning sheets provide a visual tool that allowsprofessionals, as well as project owners, the opportunity to view,select, store for review and purchase products, services and systemsthrough each segment of the project. The planning sheets act as atracking device so that no design element or building component ismissed in the planning phase.

In accordance with an embodiment, the data compiled in the planningsheets is filtered, organized and parsed to begin the development of thevision album (s1706). Various filters are used to synthesize theinformation being gathered in the planning sheets into a compilation ofdata that at least reflects the initial wants, desires and needs of theuser group. The compilation of the information creates the vision album.In one example, the user group is able to take their process as far aspossible, that is, as far as they have time for or feel comfortabledoing. When the user group is through with their processes, it may printa vision album or create a computer disc and pass the control of theproject to the provider group. The printed copy presents theinformation, data, products and the like, which will help to serve thenext user group in line.

Next, in step s1708, the provider group uses the information provided inthe vision album to begin development of the project guide. Based on theinformation in the vision album and in collaborative discussions withthe user group, the provider group offers information and services onthe topics and other points of interest that may be associated with theinformation provided in the vision album. The discussions include makingqueries of the user group, which may seek more detailed information on atopic or else may prompt the user to consider yet unspecified options.The queries are used to further refine or even substantially change theselections shown in the vision album. This allows the project to berefined based on original entered data from the user group, but modifiedby information and data gathered in the collaboration between theprovider group and the user group.

The provider group continues to interactively collaborate with the usergroup until it is decided by the user or between the groups that thediscussions have yielded a final design of the project. The informationnow held in the planning sheets includes the final assessment of theneeds, wants and desires of the user group, which the provider groupcompiles into the project guide. In one example, the provider group mayperform a Save-As of the vision album on the project system and startrefining, collaborating and gathering the completed designspecifications. When the project guide is complete the control of theproject can be given to the facilitator group who are able to, forexample, bid, schedule, and design the project from the vision album.

The vision album, which includes the final design of the project, maynow be viewed by the facilitator group who are charged with causing theplan to be readied for implementation. The project guide serves as theblue print for carrying-out or completing the project in the projectguide, if and when the user group is ready to do so.

The steps for implementing the plan and the actions that are undertakento complete the project are captured in the project journal (s1710). Theproject journal is created by tracking project implementation as acollaborative effort between the user group, the provider group and thefacilitator group.

It is expected that during the facilitation (build) process of anyproject or product that some items may still need to be selected.Changes, additions or deletions from the design specifications listedmay also occur. In one embodiment, the project journal is to track theactual implementation of the project.

Finally, the project journal along with pertinent data from the visionalbum and the project guide are seamed together in the project system toproduce the completed project portfolio (s1712). The completed projectportfolio provides a roadmap that brings the development of the projectfrom conception, through design, to final implementation. The completedproject portfolio (CPP) represents an embodiment of the finishedproject, like a user's guide or an owner's manual. The CPP may be usedfor the life of the project or product to maintain and manage thecompleted project. The initial user group or project owner may be ableto go back into the CPP to find specific data on any component of theproject, when and if needed, with the user able to resurrect a procedureperformed or take a course of action that is required, needed or desiredat the time with the least amount of effort. In one example, a user mayhave had a painter paint the walls on the interior or exterior of ahouse that was the subject of a project. Using the project system, theuser would not have to guess or color match the paint for future touchups. Instead, the CPP would provide the information necessary to orderthe exact paint that is needed. The same would apply in finding a matchfor a particular carpet that the user needs for a repair.

FIG. 18A provides a diagram illustrating a view of plan, management andcommunication segments involved in using the project system 1600 inaccordance with an embodiment. The diagram provides a visualrepresentation of how information is fed into each segment from aprevious segment and into the working modules of the project system toprovide the completed project portfolio in accordance with theembodiment.

For purposes of illustration and example, when referring to FIG. 18A,the description of the processes involved in the project system 1800 isdescribed with reference to retirement planning. That is, the user groupconsists of a person who desires to undertake the project of creating aretirement plan. In this example, the retiree is a 50 year old singleperson who desires to retire at age 62 from a career as a schoolteacher.

In operation, during the project conception phase, the retiree ispresented with a planning kit or consultation that includes interactivemodules, such as, but not limited to interactive modules 1802, 1804 and1806, that provide information regarding the concept or vision for theproject. The modules also receive input from the retiree as the retireepopulates, for example, a checklist, a dashboard or selects icons,pictures or photographs related to certain topics.

For example, interactive module 1802 of the project system 1800 mayprovide a registration screen, which may query the user regardingspecific demographic information, such as name, age, address, gender,marital status and the like and query regarding the nature of theproject. The module 1802 may then provide information and request inputfrom the retiree specific to the nature of the project. The nature ofthe project being retirement planning in this example may cause theinteractive module to filter through the options available and includequestions regarding health needs, friends and family ties, monetaryresources, financial condition and obligations, medical needs, hobbies,interests, activities, climate and other similarly associated parametersand guidelines.

In one embodiment, where appropriate to the nature of the project, theinteractive module 1802 may use a visual format of inquiry, whichprovides, for example, photos and other images used to inspire the userand allow the user to create or conceive the project based on the lookand feel of the project the user is desirous of creating.

Interactive module 1804 may be a database type of module used to makeinquiries of the user regarding, for example, products, services and thelike that may be available to or may be used by the retiree. In oneembodiment, the database module may be a repository of archivedinformation in the form of articles, photos, videos, reference guidesand the like. Thus, for example, the retiree may input selections andreceive information regarding health insurance, life insurance,medications used, hobbies, books, movies, adult living centers, and thelike. Interactive module 1806, may accept additional informationregarding options regarding desirable places to live, likes anddislikes, places to visit, favorite places to eat, favorite foods,sports, activity level, fitness level, cost of living and the like.

The information compiled in the interactive modules may be inserted orentered into the project system 1800 using any well known userinterfaces, for example, but not limited to, a graphical user interfacesvia fillable forms, selectable lists or images, and prompts, such as viaan iterative interview process and the like.

Note that the interactive modules are part of the overall consultationpackage but have been described above as being separate modules tovisually indicate that the initial inquiries may be parsed and separatedinto different categories based on the nature of the project, which canbe activated using appropriate filters based on inputs entered by theuser. Thus, some interactive modules 1807 (i.e. some lines of inquiry)may not be appropriate for certain projects and thus would not beincluded in the initial questioning once the nature of the project isascertained. For example, a module that may query regarding careerplanning would not necessarily be included in the questioning of aperson interested in retirement planning. However, the module directedat career planning may be included in the retirement planning line ofquestioning if the retiree let it be known that she may desire toreenter the work force after retirement.

As previously described, all information regarding the project isentered into the project system 1800 via planning sheets 1808. Theplanning sheets provide a means to classify and categorize theparameters, products, processes, professional services and the like ofthe planning phase. In the planning sheets, each bit of informationreceived from the user is categorized and placed into the sheets. Asshown in FIG. 18A, the planning sheets are represented as a wheel orcircle divided into individual plan sections. Each individual plansection 1810 represents a different phase or aspect of the process, thusallowing the user to individually account for every phase and aspect ofthe planning process. The plan sections 1810 may be divided into anynumber of phases or aspects that may be considered a part of theplanning process and may be individually customized by each user foreach particular project. For example, in this embodiment, based on thenature of the project, plan sections may include categories such asfinances, estate planning, housing, legal, travel, health, hobbies,interests, climate zones and other similar retirement relatedcategories.

The plan sections 1810 may be further divided into classes andsubclasses that account for particular aspects of the phase or aspect ofthe project. For example, under finances there may be sub-categoriessuch as 401(k), IRA, annuities, savings, liabilities and the like. Theplan sections may be individually searchable among each classificationby all groups in the system. In one example, planning sheets may bedivided into Headings, Categories and Subcategories. Thus, Finances maybe a Heading, Savings may be a Category, and 401K may be a subcategoryunder the Savings category. Liabilities may also be a Category underFinances, while car payments or mortgages may be a subcategory under theLiabilities category. In each case categories and or subcategories linkto professionals who are able to serve the individual if needed,products and or systems that are available to complete or support aprocess or project, further information on what others have done, whatworks, what does not work industry/sector best practices tools,equipment and the like If users want to reach out in a more informalprocess they may post requests for information in the Bid Inquiry Roomor join a blog or forum or committee on the site.

As shown in the figure, the planning sheets 1808 transcend through theentire system. As the system continues toward the formation of thecompleted project portfolio, the planning sheets 1808 visually narrow,representing the fact that the information and data regarding theproject are being refined. The planning sheets provide a visual toolthat allows professionals, as well as the project owners (users), toview, select, and store for review information that has been placed intothe project system through each segment of the project. In the presentexample, at the end of the concept phase, the retiree is able to viewall of her selections and choices categorized and collected intoseparate sections for reviewing, editing and modifying, if desired.

In order to avoid having a vast amount of information and number ofselectable choices to overwhelm the user of the project system 1800, theproject system 1800 includes a filtering mechanism 1812 that provides ameans for the user to draw down and narrow or limit his or her choicesbased on the specific project criteria and other information as well asselections made by the user in the consultation. The filtering mechanism1812 receives all the information and data including design parameters,selections and other guidelines provided or selected by the user andentered via the planning sheets 1808, including cost/time/qualitycriteria. The information and data is filtered along the user's desiredguidelines and parameters. In this example, if the retiree has enteredinformation suggesting that she does not desire to live in a climatethat is colder than a certain temperature in the winter, then the filter1812 ensures that all information and requests for input that may relateto areas with a cold climate is subsequently excluded from furtherconsideration. The filter causes the information and data to be reducedand segregated into appropriate plan sections of the planning sheets.The segregated information and data is saved and organized intoappropriate categories and subcategories in the planning sheets. Itshould be noted that in the event that during the planning process theretiree changes her mind, the filter 1812 can subsequently allow anypreviously filtered information to be subsequently included.

Referring again to FIG. 18A, once the filtering mechanism 1812 hasnarrowed the information and data to a comprehensible selection of, forexample, products, photos, professional services and options, theprocess of developing the vision album 1814 commences. The projectsystem 1800 uses the information saved and stored in the planning sheets1808 to create the vision album 1814. The provider group uses the visionalbum 1814 in collaboration with the user group to further refine andmodify the information and data in the plan sections to develop theproject guide.

In one embodiment, the filtering mechanism continues to filter thesegregated information and data and further narrow the information datainto specific needs, wants and desires. The filtering mechanism mayarrive at the narrowed selections by, for example, further consultationwith or questioning of the user regarding specific choices and theircompatibility, desirability and usability with other choices and theoverall vision of the project. Thus, the provider group makes additionalqueries and provides additional related information to the user groupbased on information in the vision album. These additional queries maytake the creation of the project guide to new paths that are created asinformation in the planning sheets has been made to change.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 18A, multiple paths, such as paths 1 thru path N,where N may be any integer greater than 1, may be created based on theresults of the queries and suggestions made during the consultation.Returning to the example of the retiree, a provider makes note that inthe vision album the retiree states that she is a school teacher andthat the she would like to continue to do charity work during herretirement years. The vision album also states that due to a healthcondition, the retiree needs to live primarily in a dry climate.

The provider group decides to make further inquires of the retireeasking, for example, if she had considered foreign countries with dryclimates, if she speaks other languages, and whether she can teachEnglish. Information is also presented to the retiree regarding each ofthese queries. The retiree considers these queries and begins to respondto them. Based on the responses, the project system begins to traveldown path 1. The retiree decides that living in a foreign country may benice and that she could definitely teach the English language. Theprovider group that makes the queries then begins to formulate theretiree's project guide 1822 a using filters 1813. The provider groupprovides names of countries with dry climates, that need primary schoolteachers, and that need those teachers to volunteer their time. Theretiree had never before considered doing these things in her retirementyears, but now decides to select countries where she may retire thathave a need for her teaching skills. The retirees planning sheets areupdated with new information.

While continuing on path 1, the provider group continues to make furtherqueries. This time the queries may focus on what is needed by theretiree now that she may be living in a foreign country. For example,the queries may include ideas on where to live (house versus apartment,buying versus renting), language lessons, travel restrictions orlimitations that need to be overcome and so on. Again, queries are madeand the list of possibilities is filtered 1813 and refined and added tothe project guide, now referred to as project guide 1822 b. Theinteractive query and refining process continues until the retiree hasexhausted the options made available to her and has decided on the finaldesign of her project.

The final selections prompted by the provider group and selected by theuser are stored in a results portion of the planning sheets. The finalproject guide 1822 for path 1 is then completed.

In another embodiment, answers to queries from the provider group maycreate a different path, such as path 2. In this example, assuming thatthe retiree has no interest in living in a foreign country and also hasno desire to teach after retiring, the provider group may offer queriesabout the retirees desire to travel around the United States and visitmany small towns undiscovered by tourists. The retiree is also a CivilWar history buff. Thus, queries from the providers may focus on thesetopics, which lead the providers to offer information regarding travelvia motor home to small towns that were significant locations during theCivil War. The user believes this is a great idea and selects to findout more information about buying a motor home and selling her own home.The creation of the user project guide 1822 a begins. This leads to morequeries from the provider group regarding home sales, tax ramificationsof home sales and more information about groups that travel together inmotor homes around the United States. This leads to the reformulation ofthe project guide into project guide 1822 b. Ultimately, the retiree'sfinal selections are collected into the final project guide 1822.

The example provided above illustrates the nature of the iterative andinteractive process of designing a project using the project system1800. Any number of paths (1, 2, . . . N) may be created for the user,such that the user can find herself on path N that has considerablyevolved from the initial path that had been started via the initiallyprepared vision album 1814. Thus, aspects of the present computerimplemented methods, electronic systems, and computer operated programsinclude filters for aiding, suggesting, and solving questions thatrequire decisions involving a planning project to maximize the projectpotential. By maximize, it is understood to mean better in most sense,such as faster, more economical, timeliness, user friendly, include bestpractices, more safe, more informative, more aesthetically appealing,more liked, more popular, etc., and combinations thereof. In oneexample, a planning project involves retirement planning. In otherexamples, planning projects include career planning, job planning,travel planning, elder care planning, construction planning, purchaseplanning, garden planning, event planning, and wedding planning, to namea few. The filters include pull down menus, pop up menus, based oncategories, based on genre, based on price, based on quality, based ongeographic location, and based on recommendations of others, orcombinations thereof. The filters allow a user to initiate a project andend up with a maximized project. In other examples, a person or personsother than the initiator of the project perform the filters or answerthe filters. Thus, aspects of the present embodiments include theproduction of a project portfolio that has been modified by at least onefilter and the filtering is performed by the user or a person locatedremotely of the user. The remotely located person may be invited by theuser to perform the filtering task or is electronically notified by thesystem to perform the filtering task due to the person being registeredas a team member, outside expert, or consultant. In other examples, theremotely located person logs into a forum that posts several distinct orseparate projects from different users to be filtered. The projectportfolio therefore undergoes changes from an initial project and hasits bugs and other problems, issues, or technical difficulties resolvedthrough a series of filters and inputs from other individuals aside fromthe project initiator. In yet another example, the project portfolioundergoes changes throughout the life of the project. The changes aremade in light of the filters and inputs from the various users andmember groups discussed herein.

The completed project guide is provided to the facilitator group, whichultimately, for example, constructs the project based on the ideas andplans set forth in the project guide, inspired by the vision album, andrefined in the query phase of the project. The facilitator group createsthe project journal from the project guide as the work is being done.Thus, the project journal 1824 incorporates all the final informationand data associated with the project. In one embodiment, the projectjournal is a form of the project guide that is being edited and reviseduntil the project is complete. The retiree in this example, can pick-upher project journal at any time and check to see if her plan is onschedule and if she has accomplished or is accomplishing those thingsthat she needs to do to get to her final destination. The transitionbetween project guide and project journal may last as long as it takesto complete the project. For example, if a project is put on hold for atime, the project journal may not reflect any further work until theuser begins the process again. When the project is complete to thesatisfaction or agreement of the user, in combination, the vision album,the project guide and the project journal are combined to form thecompleted project portfolio 1826, which is a roadmap for implementationof the project. The project is complete when the facilitator group isdone building the project and the last information has been added intothe project journal.

As previously mentioned the project system 1800 may be used to plan anyundertaking or project. For example, without any intention to belimiting, the user may choose to use the project system to aid in careerplanning or travel planning. Referring again to FIG. 18A, thedescription of the processes involved in the project system 1800 is nowdescribed with reference to each of these different planning requests.That is, the user group consists of a person who desires to undertakethe project of planning for a career or for taking a trip.

In the example of the career planner, the user is a 20 year collegestudent who has just completed two years of courses related toengineering but thinks he wants to be a lawyer. As before, during theproject conception phase, the career planner is presented with aconsultation package that includes interactive modules that provideinformation regarding the concept or vision for the project. As thecareer planner populates the user interface via fillable forms,selectable lists or images, and prompts, such as via an iterativeinterview process and the like, the information compiled in theinteractive modules is entered into the project system 1800.

In order to determine a career option or opportunity a person needs tobe asked certain questions and have access to good information thatsupports the answer(s). Thus, the project system begins a query of who,what, why, when, where then how. This career move is the result of adesire, a need, maybe even a premonition. A better project outcome inthis case may need analyzing, comparing and a more completeunderstanding of the results of an outcome before the user actuallycommits his/her energy money and resources. Here the career planner mayask or be asked, what life do I want to live, will this career provideme with what I am looking for? Is income an important component, whatcan I expect to make at this job, career, to start, after I amaccomplished? Am I better off having my own practice, what would thattake? Where do I want to live, do I want to have children or if I havechildren would this be a proper environment? Once the user understandsand verifies that this is the right step he may be guided through theprocess and be linked to the people who can help bring his dream, hisdesire, his need to completion. In this case it is best for a person whois serious about putting effort, energy and resources into a careerpath, that she be able to apply the best focus that results in a betterproject outcome. The project system asks, “Why have I made this choice?”and helps the user clarify and quantify the “project” guidelines, linkthem to professionals, mentors, industry experts and the like. In theCareer project planning system the job of the Planning Kit and thePlanning Guide is to clarify that the choice or thought is the rightchoice. Once this is done the Project is identified, it is time to startputting together the Vision Album. When the Vision Album is complete theuser then turns the project over to or have people come on to helphim/her complete the plan/design process. When they move onto theimplementation or facilitation, they enter the process with road mapsand specifications fully in place. The Planning here will result in asuccessful, better project outcome. If someone changes their mind andwants to modify their course during the process they can go back intothe system and research other options and determine the best way to workthem in or modify their course while maintaining as much value of theirwork to date.

For example, the career planner may provide user demographics (e.g.,name, age, address, gender, marital status and the like) and states thathe is an engineering student interested in a career in law. The modulemay then provide information and request input from the career plannerspecific to the nature of the project. The nature of the project, beingcareer planning in this example, may cause the interactive module tofilter through the options available and include questions regardinghobbies, previous occupations, education level, degrees held, degreesbeing pursued, skills, and other similarly associated parameters andguidelines. The interactive module may provide photos and other imagesused to inspire the user and allow the user to create or conceive theproject based on the look and feel of the project the user is desirousof creating. For example, the interactive module may display to thecareer planner photos of lawyers at work in various settings, such as ina courtroom, a large firm, a small firm, working with indigents, in theboard room of a corporation, working late hours, and the like. Thesystem promotes and supports industry mentoring. The user is able toreach out to people and professionals who have taken similar paths.

Based on selections made by the career planner, the career planner mayreceive information regarding the various aspects of the legalprofession. The interactive modules may accept additional informationabout options regarding salary expectations, lifestyle, family plans,financial resources and the like. In yet another interactive module, thecareer planner may be asked if he prefers to work in groups, to workalone, to speak to large groups of people, or prefers one on onediscussion. The career planner may also be queried about his givenabilities and talents, his limitations and his goals.

As previously described, all information regarding the project isentered into the project system 1800 via planning sheets 1808. In theplanning sheets, each bit of information received from the user iscategorized and placed into the sheets. For example, in this embodiment,based on the career planning nature of the project, plan sections mayinclude categories such as education, desired careers, salary, familyand lifestyle, finances, skills and hobbies and other similar careerrelated categories. The plan sections 1810 may be further divided intoclasses and subclasses that account for particular aspects of the phaseor aspect of the project, such as, under desired careers there may besub-categories such as corporate attorney, litigator, transactionalattorney, public interest attorney, and the like. Based on the queriesmade of the career planner, there may be indications that he may fallinto multiple categories. In the present example, at the end of theconcept phase, the career planner is able to view all of his inputs,selections and choices categorized and collected into separate sectionsfor reviewing, editing and modifying, if desired.

The filtering mechanism 1812 receives all the information and dataincluding design parameters, selections and other guidelines provided orselected by the user and entered via the planning sheets 1808. Theinformation and data are filtered along the user's desired guidelinesand parameters. In this example, if the career planner has enteredinformation suggesting that he would like to attend law school inCalifornia and also work in the state, but also inputs that securitieslaw is a strong interest, then the filter 1812 ensures that allinformation and requests for input that may relate to practice of law inCalifornia is included for consideration. However, the filter may stillallow information about working on Wall Street in New York, since thecareer planner has suggested his interest in securities law. The filtercauses the information and data to be reduced and segregated intoappropriate plan sections. The segregated information and data are savedand organized into appropriate classes and subclasses in the planningsheets. The project system 1800 uses the information saved and stored inthe planning sheets 1808 to create the vision album 1814.

The provider group uses the vision album 1814 in collaboration with thecareer planner to further refine and modify the information and data inthe plan sections to develop the project guide. The provider group makesadditional queries and provides additional related information to theuser group based on the information in the vision album. In oneembodiment, the filtering mechanism continues to filter the segregatedinformation and data and further narrow the information data intospecific needs, wants and desires of the career planner. In thisexample, the provider group may comprise law school counselors oradmissions officers, legal recruiters, people interested in mentoringlawyers, financial aid counselors, scholarship writers and the like. Inthis example, the provider group may include not only persons but alsosources of information and guidance. For example, the provider group maybe an entity that provides access to data and information related to thepractice of law and related topics, including LSAT test preparation,LSAT testing, law school rankings and the like.

As shown in FIG. 18A, multiple paths, such as paths 1 thru path N may becreated based on the results of the queries and suggestions made duringthe consultation. Returning to the example of the career planner, aprovider makes note that in the vision album the career planner statesthat he is an engineering undergraduate student and very active invarious sports activities and performs in a local theater group.

The provider group decides to make further inquiries of what the careerplanner is asking. For example, asking if he had considered legalcareers in sports or theatrical agency or law practice that can make useof his engineering degree, for example, patent law, constructiondefects, or product liability law. Information is also presented to thecareer planner regarding each of these queries. The career plannerconsiders these queries and begins to respond to them. Based on theresponses, the project system begins to travel down path 1 of FIG. 18A.The career planner had never known about patent law, but knows for surethat he is not interested in sports or theatrical agency. The providergroup that is making the queries then begins to formulate the careerplanner's project guide 1822 a. The provider group provides informationto the career planner regarding intellectual property law, the practiceof intellectual property law and requirements for becoming a patentattorney. The career planner is ecstatic to find out that he can use hisengineering background in the practice of law so he continues toinquire. The provider's information mentions that the patent attorneymust take an additional patent bar exam to become a patent attorney. Thecareer planner is not that excited about the prospect of having to takeanother exam, but he is happy to know what awaits him in this careerpath.

While continuing on path 1, the provider group continues to make furtherqueries. This time the queries may focus on compensation needs andlifestyle choices. For example, the queries may include charts andgraphs showing typical salaries for various types of attorney practices,typical hours billed requirements, and job benefits. Again, queries aremade and the list of possibilities refined and added to the projectguide, now referred to as project guide 1822 b. The interactive queryand refining process continues until the career planner has exhaustedthe options made available to him and has decided on the final design ofhis career plan project. The final selections prompted by the providergroup and selected by the user are stored in a results portion of theplanning sheets. The final project guide 1822 for path 1 is thencompleted.

In another embodiment, answers to queries from the provider group maycreate a different path, such as path 2 of FIG. 18A. In this example,the career planner decides that he does not want to work for a big firmand would love to control his work hours. In this case, the providergroup may offer queries about working as a solo practitioner. The careerplanner loves the prospect of being his own boss and selects variouslinks to information regarding the practice of law as a solopractitioner to find out more information. The creation of the userproject guide 1822 a begins. This leads to more queries from theprovider group regarding running a small business, which of course is animportant part of running a solo law practice. This leads to thereformulation of the project guide into project guide 1822 b.

At first, the career planner is overwhelmed by the endless set of rulesand regulations that seem to accompany setting up a small law firmbusiness. Suddenly, the career planner becomes fascinated with the ideaof setting up a law practice focused on helping small business owners.The career planner begins to make inquiries of the provider group onthis topic. Alas, the career planner is now headed down yet another pathof inquiry and collaboration with the providers.

Alternatively, the providers note that most of the career planner'sselections are slanted towards business consulting type work, so theproviders begin to inquire and inform the career planner aboutalternative careers in business consulting. The filter mechanisms beganto allow inclusion of more business consulting oriented options. As aresult of this new found desire to aid small business owners, the careerplanner may decide not to venture into the law field at all but may feelbetter suited for a career as a business consultant. The career plannercontinues to make inquiries of the provider group on this new topic. Thecareer planner is now headed down yet another path of inquiry andcollaboration with the providers that heretofore the career planner hadnot even considered.

Ultimately, the career planner's final selections are collected into thefinal project guide 1822.

Assuming again that the career planner desires to be an attorney, oncethe project guide 1822 has been completed, the career planner has a goodidea of what is required to become an attorney. For example, the careerplanner now knows that he must take an LSAT exam to be able to apply forlaw school, he must attend law school for at least three years, and hemust pass a state bar exam to actually practice law. The career planneralso knows generally which types of careers a lawyer may pursue and heknows specifically what is required to become, for example, a patentattorney, a district attorney, or a public interest attorney to name buta few of the attorney types that the career planner chose to inquireabout, or all of them. Because the career planner has made theseinquiries early in his career path, he has a prepared timeline in theproject guide showing him when he should have accomplished certain tasksto implement his project.

At some time, the career planner's completed project guide is providedto the facilitator group, which ultimately helps the career planner toput the plan into action. The facilitators may include, law schooladmission representatives, teachers, counselors, financial aid planners,practicing patent attorneys, and the like. While in law school, thefacilitators may include tutors and those that can help a student withinternships. Once law school has been completed, the facilitator groupmay become educational representatives from bar exam study groups andemployment recruiters. Thus, the facilitator group can vary over time asthe project continues to evolve. The facilitator group documents theevents that lead to the creation of the project journal 1824 thatincorporates all the final information and data associated with thecareer development project. In combination, the vision album, theproject guide and the project journal are combined to form the completedproject portfolio 1826, which is a roadmap for implementation of theproject. The career planner in this example, can pick-up his projectportfolio at any time and check to see if his plan is on schedule and ifhe has accomplished those things that he needs to do get to his finaldestination. This includes returning to the completed portfolio, evenafter the project is completed (i.e. the career planner has become alawyer) to find the name of the employment recruiter (facilitator) whohelped him get his first job, because the career planner is now lookingto find a new place to work.

The project system can similarly be used to plan travel. In the exampleof the traveler, the traveler desires to take a simple trip to Europe orsome similar place but has no real idea where to go. The travelerinteracts with the consultation package, which queries the travelerabout the traveler's interests. The information is compiled in theinteractive modules and entered into the project system 1800 using theplanning sheets 1810.

The nature of the project being travel to Europe in this example maycause the interactive module to filter through the options available andinclude questions regarding interests, favorite foods, other places thatthe traveler has traveled, and other similarly associated parameters andguidelines. The interactive module may provide photos and other imagesused to inspire the user and allow the user to create or conceive theproject based on the look and feel of the places the traveler may wantto go. For example, the interactive module may display to the travelerphotos of ancient ruins in Rome, pyramids in Egypt or the Eiffel Towerin France.

Based on selections made by the traveler, the traveler may receiveinformation regarding the various aspects of travel through Europe,Africa or Asia. The interactive modules may accept additionalinformation about options regarding food and other allergies, physicaltravel limitations, budget requirements and the like. In yet anotherinteractive module, the traveler may be asked if the traveler preferstraveling alone, in groups or a mix of both. In yet another interactivemodule the traveler is queried about hobbies, skills and the like.

As previously described, all information regarding the project isentered into the project system 1800 via planning sheets 1808. In theplanning sheets, each bit of information received from the user iscategorized and placed into the sheets in categories, such as budget,lodging, transportation, activities, countries to visit and the like.The plan sections 1810 may be further divided into classes andsubclasses that account for particular aspects of the phase or aspect ofthe project, such as, under budget there may be sub-categories such aslength of stay, monetary conversion rates, and the like. In the presentexample, at the end of the concept phase, the traveler is able to viewall of his inputs, selections and choices categorized and collected intoseparate sections for reviewing, editing and modifying, if desired.

The filtering mechanism 1812 receives all the information and dataincluding design parameters, selections and other guidelines provided orselected by the user and entered via the planning sheets 1808. Theinformation and data is filtered along the user's desired guidelines andparameters. In this example, if the traveler has entered informationsuggesting that the traveler has once traveled to Asia then the filter1812 ensures that all information and requests for input that mayrelated to travel in Asia is not included for consideration. The filtercauses the information and data to be reduced and segregated intoappropriate plan sections. The segregated information and data is savedand organized into appropriate classes and subclasses in the planningsheets. The project system 1800 uses the information saved and stored inthe planning sheets 1808 to create the vision album 1814.

The provider group uses the vision album 1814 in collaboration with thecareer planner to further refine and modify the information and data inthe plan sections to develop the project guide. The provider group makesadditional queries and provides additional related information to theuser group based on the information in the vision album. In oneembodiment, the filtering mechanism continues to filter the segregatedinformation and data and further narrow the information data intospecific needs, wants and desires of the career planner. In thisexample, the provider group may comprise travel professionals.

In this example, the provider makes note that in the vision album thetraveler states that he is an artist who is fascinated with Italianartists. The provider group decides to make further inquires of thetraveler asking, for example, if he had considered traveling to Rome toview various works of art in various museums. Information is presentedto the career planner regarding this query. The traveler considers thisquery and responds affirmatively. Based on the response, the projectsystem begins to travel down path 1 of FIG. 18A. The provider group thatis making the queries then begins to formulate the traveler's projectguide 1822 a. The provider group provides information to the careerplanner regarding Italian artists and museums and the like, which holdtheir art work. The provider also notes that the traveler has a verytight travel budget. Thus, the providers provide information to thetraveler regarding low cost, but quality lodging. The providers alsosuggest a centralized location for the traveler to stay so that he canbe as close as possible to the museums that have been identified, thishelps to keep transportation costs down. The providers also suggestvarious modes of travel, such as buses that are cheaper alternatives to,for example, taxi cabs and the like.

In another embodiment, answers to queries from the provider group maycreate a different path, such as path 2 of FIG. 18A. In this example,the traveler has stated that he is not interested in seeing any oneparticular thing, but would rather travel through Europe, with noparticular time schedule or itinerary, stopping at various locations andstaying for various lengths of time. In this case, the provider groupmay offer queries about train travel through Europe and offersuggestions for various routes that optimize the traveler's ability tosee as many countries as possible in the span of time that the travelerhas specified. The providers also provide information of lodging inhostels, which may be ideal for this type of travel. The creation of theuser project guide is begun. This leads to more queries from theprovider group regarding obtaining visas, monetary exchanges, localtransportation, expected language barriers and travel warnings and thelike. Once selected, all of the information that the traveler chooses torely on is incorporated into the project guide.

In this example, once the project journal 1822 has been completed, thetraveler has a plan for traveling by train to see five countries inEurope in 20 days. The traveler's completed project guide is provided tothe facilitator group, which helps the traveler to put the trip planinto action. The facilitators may include travel agents, lodgers,transportation specialists, money exchangers and the like who can helpto implement the actual travel desires of the traveler. The facilitatorgroup documents each aspect of the trip plan that leads to the creationof the project journal that incorporates all the final information anddata associated with the travel project. As before, in combination, thevision album, the project guide and the project journal are combined toform the completed project portfolio. The traveler may at anytimebefore, during or after the trip view any aspect of the travel plan.

Thus, the technical features of the computer implemented system forgenerating a project planning document may include mechanisms forpresenting queries relating to a project type to prompt first inputsfrom a first user; filtering the first inputs to populate segments of aninitial planning sheet representing an initial planning path with thefiltered first inputs, the filtering based on user selections from thefirst user provided in response to the initial queries to create aninitial project plan; presenting a plurality of additional queries basedon the filtered first inputs to prompt a plurality of secondary inputs;filtering the plurality of secondary inputs to populate segments of analternative planning sheet representing an alternative planning pathwith filtered secondary inputs, the filtering based on user selectionsfrom the first user provided in response to the plurality of additionalqueries, wherein an alternative project plan is produced from thealternative planning path, which is different from the initial projectplan, and creating a first guide that includes the alternative projectplan; modifying the alternative project plan in response to interactiveand collaborative queries made between the first user and a second userto produce a modified alternative project plan, and creating a secondguide that includes the modified alternative project plan; recordingactions taken and the progress being made in implementing the modifiedalternative project plan in a third guide; and generating a projectplanning document including at least the information included in thefirst guide, the second guide and the third guide.

Although embodiments and their components have been specificallydescribed and illustrated, many modifications, combinations, andvariations of the embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Furthermore, it is understood and contemplated that featuresspecifically discussed for one embodiment may be adopted for inclusionwith another embodiment provided the functions are compatible.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the planning system andcomponents thereof developed and implemented according to principles ofthis disclosure may be embodied other than as specifically describedherein. The invention is defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of collaboratively generating a virtualproject portfolio for a construction project comprising using anon-transitory computer useable medium having computer readableinstructions embodied therein, wherein the computer readableinstructions cause a computer to: receive first construction projectinformation inputs about the construction project from a first userinterface, wherein the first construction project information inputsinclude a type of construction and a space in a structure included inthe construction project; select a first set of filters from a pluralityof filters stored in memory to obtain information relating to the spacebased on at least the type of construction and the space in thestructure included in the construction project received in the firstconstruction project information of information from the first user;generate a first portion of the project portfolio on the memory, whereinthe first portion of the project portfolio comprises a vision albumcomprising the construction space information obtained from at least onedatabase maintained in the memory using the first set of filtersselected using the first construction project information inputs,wherein the vision album comprising the construction space informationincludes a first list of professionals based on the first constructionproject information inputs; provide the first portion of the projectportfolio to the first user interface to allow the first user interfaceto modify the first portion of the project portfolio and to select afirst professional from the first list of professionals; receive firstselection information inputs from the first user interface, wherein thefirst selection information inputs include a selection of the firstprofessional from the first list of professionals; grant access to thefirst portion of the project portfolio to the selected firstprofessional; notify the selected first professional that secondconstruction project information inputs must be provided via the seconduser interface; provide the first portion of the project portfolio tothe selected first professional via a second user interface in responseto the selection of the selected first professional from the first userinterface; receive second construction project information inputs fromthe second user interface; modify the first portion of the projectportfolio using the second construction project information inputsreceived from the second user interface; generate a second portion ofthe project portfolio on the memory comprising a second list ofprofessionals based on the modified first portion of the projectportfolio, wherein the second list of professionals is different thanthe first list of professionals; provide the second portion of theproject portfolio to the second user interface to allow the second userinterface to modify the first portion of the project portfolio and toselect a second professional from the second list of professionals;receive second selection information inputs from the second userinterface, wherein the second selection information inputs includes aselection of the second professional, different from the firstprofessional, from the second list of professionals; grant access to thefirst portion of the project portfolio to the selected secondprofessional; notify the selected second professional that thirdconstruction project information inputs must be provided via the thirduser interface; provide the second portion of the project portfolio tothe selected second professional via a third user interface in responseto the selection of the selected second professional from the seconduser interface; receive third construction project information inputsfrom the third user interface to allow the third user interface tomodify the first portion of the project portfolio; and modify the firstportion of the project portfolio using the third construction projectinformation received from the third user interface.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising assembling the first, second, and thirdguides into the virtual planning guide.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising requesting the developer user of the first userinterface to input user selections that include parameters, guidelines,product and service selections and receiving user selections input bythe first user interface.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprisingproviding one or more links for the first user interface to link toinformation to search, view and select parameters, guidelines, productselections and service selections to be included in the user selections.5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first user interface is providedwith links to information providers to search, view and selectinformation about the construction project and wherein the informationproviders comprise public sector groups, industry professionals,manufacturers and industry service professionals and wherein thecomputer readable instructions include instructions to receive aselection of at least a portion of the information to be included in thefirst portion of the project portfolio in the inputs received from thefirst user interface.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingproviding one or more links for the first user interface to link toinformation provided by information providers to search, view and selectthe information to be included in the information received from thefirst user.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the information providerscomprise public sector groups, industry professionals, manufactures andindustry service professionals.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein theinformation provided comprises service listings, manufacturer showrooms,professional showcases, and network listings.
 9. The method of claim 6,wherein the information provided by the links comprises at least one ofservice listings, manufacturer showrooms, professional showcases, andnetwork listings.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising creatinga planning sheet including plan sections representing different plansection categories related to aspects of the construction project,wherein each plan section includes a listing of tasks and requirementsrelated to a particular category; segregating the portions of theinformation received from the first user interface into the appropriateplan section categories; maintaining the user selections as input by thefirst user interface and as modified by the second user interface andthird user interface; and maintaining a journal of the actions taken inimplementing the project.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein thecomputer readable instructions when executed on the computer cause thecomputer to: generate a third portion of the project portfoliocomprising a project journal that records information about actionstaken by the first, second, and third user interfaces to modify theproject portfolio.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the second portionof the project portfolio comprises a residential construction project ora commercial construction project that has been modified by the secondprofessional via the third user interface.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of filters includes a project scope filter, aclimate zone filter, an architectural style filter, a system filter, afoundation filter, a flooring filter, a color filter, and a materialfilter.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer readableinstructions when executed on the computer cause the computer to modifyany portion of the project portfolio via the first user interface, thesecond user interface, and the third user interface.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the information in the first portion of the projectportfolio includes monetary bids provided by qualified professionals forproviding products and services.
 16. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising presenting an option for the first user interface to modifyinput from at least one of the second user interface and the third userinterface.
 17. A method for generating a virtual planning guide for aconstruction project performed by one or more computers over a networkcomprising: receiving first construction project information inputsabout the construction project from a first user interface, wherein thefirst construction project information inputs include a type ofconstruction and a space in a structure included in the constructionproject; selecting a first set of filters from a plurality of filtersstored in memory to obtain information relating to the space based on atleast the type of construction and the space in the structure includedin the construction project received in the first construction projectinformation of information from the first user; generating a firstportion of the project portfolio on the memory, wherein the firstportion of the project portfolio comprises a vision album comprising theconstruction space information obtained from at least one databasemaintained in the memory using the first set of filters selected usingthe first construction project information inputs, wherein the visionalbum comprising the construction space information includes a firstlist list of professionals based on the first construction projectinformation inputs; providing the first portion of the project portfolioto the first user interface to allow the first user interface to modifythe first portion of the project portfolio and to select a firstprofessional from the first list of professionals; receiving firstselection information inputs from the first user interface, wherein thefirst selection information inputs include a selection of the firstprofessional from the first list of professionals; granting access tothe first portion of the project portfolio to the selected firstprofessional; notifying the selected first professional that secondconstruction project information inputs must be provided via the seconduser interface; providing the first portion of the project portfolio tothe selected first professional via a second user interface in responseto the selection of the selected first professional from the first userinterface; receiving second construction project information inputs fromthe second user interface; modifying the first portion of the projectportfolio using the second construction project information inputsreceived from the second user interface; generating a second portion ofthe project portfolio on the memory comprising a second list ofprofessionals based on the modified first portion of the projectportfolio, wherein the second list of professionals is different thanthe first list of professionals; providing the second portion of theproject portfolio to the second user interface to allow the second userinterface to modify the first portion of the project portfolio and toselect a second professional from the second list of professionals;receiving second selection information inputs from the second userinterface, wherein the second selection information inputs includes aselection of the second professional, different from the firstprofessional, from the second list of professionals; granting access tothe first portion of the project portfolio to the selected secondprofessional; notifying the selected second professional that thirdconstruction project information inputs must be provided via the thirduser interface; providing the second portion of the project portfolio tothe selected second professional via a third user interface in responseto the selection of the selected second professional from the seconduser interface; receiving third construction project information inputsfrom the third user interface to allow the third user interface tomodify the first portion of the project portfolio; and modifying thefirst portion of the project portfolio using the third constructionproject information received from the third user interface.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising assembling the first, second, andthird guides into the virtual planning guide.
 19. The method of claim17, further comprising requesting the developer user of the first userinterface to input user selections that include parameters, guidelines,product and service selections and receiving user selections input bythe first user interface.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprisingproviding one or more links for the first user interface to link toinformation to search, view and select parameters, guidelines, productselections and service selections to be included in the user selections.